Antique pair of plates "Immortals and Arhats". Made of ceramic and decorated with overglaze painting and gilding in the characteristic "Satsuma" style. Japan, 19th century. 

One plate depicts eight benevolent elders. This group may represent the Ba Xian, the Eight Immortals, the Taoist patrons of the arts and sciences. The other plate features seven Buddhist arhats, the closest followers of Buddha, depicted with a "nimbus". On each plate, the sages are accompanied by a boy and a tiger, which symbolizes the birth of sons, the development of their talents, and their success in their careers and lives.