Two cartouches, two scenes: three geisha women in a tea room, two geisha in a garden — hand painted on white porcelain with a cobalt blue rim traced in gold enamel swirls. The interior of the cup carries a floral detail. It is the kind of piece that rewards a long look, the painting intricate enough to reveal something new each time.
Geisha Girl porcelain was produced by numerous Japanese factories from the late 19th century through the 1950s, primarily for Western export. The cobalt blue rim with a light gold enamel swirled line is sometimes associated with pre-1910 production, though we estimate this piece to the peak period of 1910 through the mid-1930s. We've examined it carefully — the eyes, the raised stencil lines, the colors applied outside the lines, the overall weight and feel — and believe it to be authentic, not a reproduction. Marked simply "Japan." Geisha Girl porcelain is highly collectible, with devotees who mix patterns and purists who collect only one.
A significant find for a Geisha Girl collector or a collector of Japanese export antiques. A beautiful and unusual gift for a birthday, anniversary, or any occasion that calls for something truly distinctive.
Maker: Unknown Japanese factory (marked Japan)
Era: Antique, c. 1910s–1930s
Material: Porcelain, hand painted
Dimensions: Saucer 5.25" diameter; cup 3.75" diameter × 2" tall
