Antique British Imari Pattern Porcelain Finger Bowl & Underplate Set – Late 19th Century

A magnificent testament to Victorian high-society table rituals and Anglo-Japanese artistic crosscurrents, this late 19th-century porcelain finger bowl and matching underplate set introduces a vivid, maximalist graphic depth to curated spaces.

Beautifully decorated in the luxurious "Imari" palette popularised by premier British porcelain houses like Spode and Royal Crown Derby, the set features a striking harmony of deep cobalt blue, iron red, and soft sage green, entirely illuminated by dense, hand-painted 22-karat gold trailing vines. The exterior of the footed bowl and the wide rim of the underplate showcase large, luminous white stylized lily blossoms or magnolias. These organic elements alternate with panels of intricate golden seaweed motifs and green stenciled fields mimicking traditional Japanese shagreen patterns. The interior of the bowl reveals a delicate gilt classical wave border around the inner rim, leading to a central, hand-painted stylized leaf medallion that mirrors the center of the saucer. Originally designed to rinse fingers between courses, this highly decorative set acts today as a sophisticated visual anchor on a classical sideboard, an eclectic vanity set, or styled alongside historical curiosities.

Technical Details & Condition:

• Estimated Period: Late 19th Century (c. 1880-1890).

• Origin: United Kingdom (England).

• Material: Fine glazed porcelain, hand-painted enamel, bright gold leaf gilding.

• Dimensions: Underplate Diameter 21 cm | Bowl Diameter 16 cm (H 8.5 cm) | Total Combined Height 10 cm.

• Condition: Excellent antique condition. The porcelain bodies are structurally perfect, completely free of chips, cracks, hairlines, or professional restorations. The hand-painted enamels remain incredibly vibrant. The extensive gold leaf gilding shows only minor, honest, age-appropriate rubbing along the rims and high-contact points, adding a beautiful historic soul and certifying its non-industrial luxury value.