Antique blue and white decorative porcelain plate or shallow bowl. Handpainted. Made in Japan 19th century, possibly older. 

8 1/8th inch in diameter. 

Round plate beautifully handpainted with a landscape and birds in which a nobleman, standing under a bent and curving pine tree, fans himself, and looks at a woman

carrying a long bamboo pole with a bucket at either end. The nobleman is dressed in opulent, decorated clothes, the woman much simpler in dress and barefeet. He has

a significant headdress, she has nothing on her head, but long flowing hair. While the man is turned away from the woman, his eyes are clearly watching her. She

appears to be looking down modestly and yet has tremendous elegance and charm. The curve of the bamboo pole is direct relationship to the curve of the tree. On

either side of the tree are birds in flight.

Beautifully painted with subtle variations in tones of blue. A wonderful plate to contemplate and enjoy.

The back of the plate / bowl is decorated with scrolling flowers. 

Condition: there are two chips on the rim of the plate and a few shallow glaze cracks, shown clearly in the 'photos. While these could be restored, the plate has

tremendous charm exactly as it is.