Japanese Imari Charger Buddhist Lions 19th Century

A very large and colorful handmade Japanese porcelain charger with has very detailed painted designs. The charger has been decorated in over glaze enamels and under glaze cobalt. The central medallion is a prunus in bloom with bamboo stalks and leaves painted in cobalt blue. The cavetto is decorated with alternating panels of Buddhist lions searching for the pearl of wisdom and flowering plants with butterflies. These panels are surrounded with fabric geometric designs. The rim has a gilded edge with a diaper pattern in under glaze blue. Small panels of birds and chrysanthemums are inset into the border. The back is decorated with an under lip border of scrolling peonies and a plantain leaf border at the foot. The base has four pontil marks in the glaze. The rounded raised foot is partially glazed. There is a Chinese mark on the base that refers to life with riches and honor. MEASUREMENTS 16 ½” (41.9 cm) diameter x 2 3/8” (5.9 cm) tall. Weighs 5 lb 14 oz (2650 g)