Pair of Japanese plates, probably 19th/early 20th century. Both made of porcelain, glazed and polychrome and very finely and detailed hand-painted in gold. One plate with a wavy rim in the Imari style depicting a ship in the mirror, the rim lavishly decorated with floral motifs. The underside is painted with a depiction of plum blossoms. A plate in the Kutani style with a depiction of reeds from which a little egret flies up to join two others in the sky. Inscribed on the underside: 山口造 (Yamaguchizou). Dimensions: Ø approx. 21.5 and 24.5 cm. Both in good condition with signs of age and use, Imari plate with several chips to the rim.

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.