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"A good early 18th Century Japanese Ko Imari dish made for export to the Western market decorated with an eight pointed star constructed from two squares.  Eight is an auspicious number in oriental iconography, associated with such groups of auspicious motifs as the Eight Precious Objects, the Eight Trigrams and the eight-fold path of Buddhism. The central octagonal reserve contains a Dragon and clouds, Unryu, with reserves to the rim Foo Dogs and Peonies, Shishi ni Botan, Hoo Birds and Paulownia blossom, Ho-Ou ni Kiri, whilst a highly auspicious and unusual combination of classic Japanese motifs. The blue brocade ground inset with Chrysanthemums and gilt karakusa. The reverse painted with two Chrysanthemum sprigs. The eight pointed star gives the dish a rather Islamic appearance, khatam, and it is quite possible comparing the pattern with those to be found in the Topkapi Palace collection in Istanbul, that the dish may have been made with this market in mind. Dating 1710-1740. The dish is in good condition, no cracks, chips or restoration. 21.8 cm in diameter (8.6 inches). Shipping at Cost."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.trocadero.com/stores/EastWest/items/1217181/Rare-Japanese-Imari-Dragons-Hoo-Birds-Dish-18C>