BACKGROUND:
While my wife tends to collect English & Irish fine china and porcelain pieces, at times she has been attracted to Japanese china, particularly those which have been hand painted and (for her) stand out from the crowd.
These teacups were part of a complete teaset that she used to have, alas the saucers were no longer serviceable so now she has these teacups which are seeking new homes to live in!
Hand decorated, lime Green & Yellow inside the top rim which gives the impression of Art Deco influences (it is this design that caught her eye), half of the teacup outside has a very pale Cream/Yellow wash and there are two different flower designs painted onto the teacup with one design being more dominant than the other.
The backstamp can clearly be traced to 1933 (see the excellent Noritake reference website HERE)*** and this china was destined exclusively for the Australian marketplace.
***This link takes you to a website that does not appear to be "secure" and does not support HTTPS - I have found it very useful to view though and had no issues with my system security.
So, let's get down to the details of these pretty little teacups which left Japan almost 100 years ago!
NORITAKE - Teacup ONLY
Made In Japan
Design: Unknown
Based on the backstamp design/layout, this teacup left the Japanese works in 1933 and was a special release intended exclusively for the Australian marketplace. Quite extraordinary when you think about it, this was just a few years BEFORE we were officially at war with Japan.
Hand decorated artwork
NO Gold gilding used at all
White fine china base
Translucent (meaning you can easily see your fingers through the piece when held up to a light source)
DIMENSIONS:
"Standard" teacup, not a demi
85mm diameter mouth x 68mm height
Slightly upturned handle design when compared to a normal teacup handle but not as upturned as the Queen Anne style
WEIGHT: 78g (very light, this feels like the very best of our Shelley's - so delicate)
BACKSTAMP DETAILS:
Printed and under the glaze, Brown-Red in colour
No distinguishing artist markings
Here is a photograph from this teacup of the backstamp
COSMETIC CONDITION:
This description applies equally to either teacup that we currently have
USED
Clean
NO chips
NO cracks
NO discolouration to the Cream and White external surfaces and inside the teacup - NO tannin staining
NO crazing observed at all (Dry & Wet tested)
NO significant wear to the decoration, even the most susceptible areas such as the top rim edge and back of the handle are unworn.
