Item Description A pair of porcelain guinomi (sake cups) by Ono Hakuko (小野珀子, d. 1996), one of Japan's most celebrated women ceramic artists, decorated in kinrande (gold brocade) — one on a rich coral-red ground and one on a vivid green ground. Based in Ureshino, Saga Prefecture, Ono Hakuko is best known for her mastery of gold decoration, including the yūri-kinsai (gold under glaze) technique she developed after the work of Katō Hajime. She received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1980, was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property holder of Saga Prefecture in 1992, and her work is held in the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. Each cup has a cylindrical body flaring gently towards the rim, densely painted in hand-applied gold with scrolling foliage and lattice motifs surrounding a central pomegranate-like medallion. The interiors and foot rims are left in clean white porcelain, setting off the gold against the coloured grounds. The gold shows the slightly raised, textured surface typical of hand-painted kinrande. Each base bears the artist's mark "珀" (Haku) in underglaze blue. Comes with the original tomobako (fitted wooden box for the pair), inscribed "Kinrande Guinomi" and signed "Hakuko" (珀子) with the artist's seal, together with the original shiori (artist's leaflet) detailing her career. Dimensions (each) Height: 4.5 cm Diameter: 5.2 cm Weight: 91 g (total for the pair) Condition Both cups are in good condition with no chips, cracks or repairs. The gold shows minor wear consistent with age and light use, including slight rubbing on some raised areas (please see photos). Details Artist: Ono Hakuko (小野珀子) — mark "珀" on the base of each cup Type: Guinomi (sake cups), set of 2 Technique: Kinrande (gold brocade) on porcelain Colours: Red ground and green ground, with gold Origin: Saga Prefecture, Japan Included: Original signed tomobako and artist's shiori (leaflet) Shipping This lot will be carefully packed and shipped from Japan with tracking, via Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depending on the item. Delivery usually takes 1–3 weeks. Import duties, taxes and customs charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost and are the buyer's responsibility. The carrier or customs office in your country may contact you by phone or email for customs clearance. Please keep your contact details up to date, as an unanswered request may cause the parcel to be returned to Japan and require additional shipping costs to resend. Thank you for your understanding!