Tea service - hard-paste porcelain - Literati Tea Service

Chinese hand-painted literati tea service with original tray – Republic period, probably Jingdezhen – dated Jiaxu year (jiaxu), likely 1934

For sale is an extraordinary Chinese tea service made of fine white hard-pporcelain, consisting of:

1 teapot with lid
1 sugar bowl with lid
1 milk jug
2 teacups
2 saucers
1 original serving tray

The service is fully hand-decorated and is distinguished by its extraordinary artistic execution.

Each individual piece was designed separately and differs markedly from the other pieces in the service.
All objects display autonomous, finely executed landscapes in the classical Chinese literati style with mountains, pagodas, bamboo, pines, waterways, and misty landscapes.
Each piece also bears its own calligraphic inscription or an individual classical poem, making every piece appear as an independent work of art.
Particularly noteworthy is that different red artist and atelier seals appear on the various parts. The seals vary within the service and correspond to the traditional practice of Chinese porcelain painters, who used not only painting but also personal name and studio seals.
The combination of landscape painting, calligraphy, poetry, and seals aligns with the classical Chinese literati tradition and clearly sets this service apart from industrially decorated export wares.
Dating
Several inscriptions bear the Chinese dating: 甲戌四月 (Jiaxu year, fourth month). Based on style, execution, and calligraphy, this dating most likely corresponds to the year 1934 (Republic of China).
Stylistic classification
The painting follows the so-called Qianjiang/Literati style (浅绛彩), a decoration method valued on high-quality porcelain during the late Qing Dynasty and especially in the Republic period.
Characteristic features:
- finely painted landscapes
- classical Chinese poems
- elegant calligraphy
- personal artist and atelier seals
- individual design of each piece
Origin
Based on stylistic features, the service likely comes from a Chinese workshop, probably Jingdezhen, the traditional center of Chinese porcelain production.
The various artist stamps suggest studio work rather than industrial mass production.

Condition

The service is in good condition for its age.

Please examine all photos carefully, as they are part of the description.