Japan has a very long history making very high quality chinaware and porcelain (and also some not so good pieces, particularly in the early 20th exports to USA) Fortunately, things did improve and much better quality product was shipped to USA after WWII. Presently, Japanese porcelain is considered to be one of the best in quality and the finest in the world (by American judgement). At the same time, considerable pressure was felt by the English fine china manufacturer's as the Japanese had perfected the art of creating "Western styled" china and porcelain and a lower cost than local English product.
This teaset trio is in the latter category and it was exported in very large numbers to USA during the 1960's ~ 1970's
Yamato China
"Royalty" series
Simple floral design (appear to be daisies) with foliage. Light greens, yellows
I am not sure if this is transferware or handpainted artwork. Looking very closely at the repeating design around the teacup I can see subtle differences with the flower shapes, distance from the stems etc - something which is not possible with transferware. The artwork also has a slightly raised appearance and feel so I am leaning towards handpainted.
Gold gilding has been applied to the teacup top rim, centre and base area and the outer edges of the saucer and cake plate. Again a close look at this gilding does give the impression it has been applied with a brush (uneven thickness) not a machine.
Bright white porcelain base
Multi-coloured Yamato backstamp which IS a transferware graphic
TRIO DETAILS:
TEA CUP: standard 1 cup
88mm diameter top rim
75mm height
BACKSTAMP:
(Crown graphic below which is)
ROYAL SERIES
(3x Heraldic symbols Red, Clear & Blue backgrounds)
ROYALTY
FINE YAMATO CHINA
JAPAN
SAUCER:
146mm diameter
BACKSTAMP:
(Crown graphic below which is)
ROYAL SERIES
(3x Heraldic symbols Red, Clear & Blue backgrounds)
ROYALTY
FINE YAMATO CHINA
JAPAN
CAKE PLATE:
163mm diameter
BACKSTAMP:
(Crown graphic below which is)
ROYAL SERIES
(3x Heraldic symbols Red, Clear & Blue backgrounds)
ROYALTY
FINE YAMATO CHINA
JAPAN
CONDITION (ALL THREE PIECES):
Clean
NO cracks
NO crazing
NO discolouration
NO handling wear to the gold gilding or artwork
