Before 1921, all Japanese porcelain exported to the United States was marked "Nippon" — the Japanese word for Japan. After that year, the law changed, and the word disappeared from the mark. What remained were the pieces themselves: fine translucent porcelain, painted by hand, finished with raised gold moriage that no machine has ever quite replicated.
This cup and saucer is one of those pieces. Hand painted with bright strawberries, flowers, and multiple tones of green that give the composition unusual depth, it carries a beaded raised gold rim on both cup and saucer, with a gilded handle detail. The porcelain is exceptionally translucent — the kind that glows when held to the light. The backstamp has been examined carefully and bears the hallmarks of a genuine Nippon maple leaf mark from the Morimura Bros period (1891–1911): narrow leaf, solid heavy lines, no high gloss finish. The artist's own shadow mark is visible on both cup and saucer.
A significant find for a serious collector, and an extraordinary gift for someone who loves things with a real story. Beautiful for a birthday, anniversary, or any occasion that deserves something irreplaceable.
Maker: Nippon / Morimura Bros (later Noritake), Japan
Era: Antique, c. 1891–1911
Material: Fine translucent porcelain
Dimensions: Saucer 5.75" diameter; cup 3.5" diameter × 2.25" tall
Condition: Excellent antique. No cracks, chips, or visible scratches. Gold in great condition.
