Saucer with peony design, Japan

Saucer
Japan (Arita)
1700 - 1720
Porcelain with Imari style decoration in  underglaze blue & overglaze, enamels & gilt

A pale blue saucer, decorated in blue and red enamel  & gilt with pairs of quails in petal shaped compartments  separated by sprays of flowers. The middle of the  saucer has a spary of peony within a blue & gilt band  of Japanese cloud pattern and the rim is decorated  with a band of blue & gilt diaper. The peony, known as the 'flower of twenty days' because of its short blooming season, was particularly favoured by the nobility as it was considered a symbol of prosperity, happiness, love and affection.