Japan, c. 1920 – Rare and superb hand-painted porcelain set – Geisha garden décor & - Fine porcelain - Japan - Early 20th century





€38 | ||
|---|---|---|
€33 | ||
€26 | ||
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 141948 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Original Kutani porcelain ensemble from Japan, circa 1920–1940, comprising 21 porcelain saucers and 1 milk jug (22 pieces) with polychrome enamel and gilded details, depicting kimonoed ladies, gardens and traditional Japanese scenes, with numerous red iron marks including Dai Nippon and JAPAN, in very good condition with minor wear.
Description from the seller
A journey through early 20th-century Japan - A Kutani polychrome porcelain tea service set in porcelain
Let yourself be seduced by the finesse and poetry of this important Japanese porcelain set, made in the early 20th century, probably between the end of the Taishō era and the beginning of the Shōwa era, around 1920–1940.
Each piece features a particularly vibrant polychrome decoration, composed of different scenes: elegant women in kimono, flowering gardens, wisteria, pavilions, pagodas and traditional Japanese landscapes. This variety gives the set a special charm: no composition is exactly identical to another.
The decorations are realized in the Kutani porcelain tradition, with enamels in iron red, blue, green, pink and yellow tones, combined with fine decorative details and gilded highlights. The slightly irregular character of the line, the colors and some borders contribute to the artisanal charm of the set.
One particularly interesting element lies in the numerous marks on the back of the pieces. Several different signatures and seals in iron red have been noted, apparently indicating different workshops or decorators working in the Kutani tradition. Among the photographed marks are inscriptions “Dai Nippon,” a mark readable “Dai Nippon Kutani Sei” (“Great Japan – made in Kutani”), as well as export mentions “JAPAN” and “MADE IN JAPAN.”
The presence of several different marks within the same set is particularly interesting for collectors and reflects the functioning of Japanese decoration workshops aimed notably at the export market in the early 20th century.
Characteristics
Composition: 21 saucers/small plates and 1 milk jug, for a total of 22 pieces.
Origin: Japan.
Attribution: traditional Kutani production.
Estimated period: around 1920–1940, late Taishō – early Shōwa.
Material: porcelain.
Technique: polychrome enamel decoration, visible handwork, decorative highlights and gilding.
Marks: numerous different red signatures and seals, including “Dai Nippon,” “Dai Nippon Kutani Sei,” “JAPAN” and “MADE IN JAPAN.”
Condition report
Very good overall condition considering the age of the set. The porcelain retains a strong presence and colors remain bright. Some signs of wear, rubbing, small irregularities and occasional wear to the decorations or borders may be observed, consistent with the age of the pieces.
No major chips or cracks observed at the time of listing. The numerous photographs, especially those of the backs and marks, are an integral part of the description and allow a precise appreciation of the condition and unique features of each piece.
Shipping
Given the number of pieces and their fragility, each item will be protected individually, then separated from the others by several layers of protection before being placed in reinforced packaging suitable for porcelain. Tracked shipping and especially careful handling.
A journey through early 20th-century Japan - A Kutani polychrome porcelain tea service set in porcelain
Let yourself be seduced by the finesse and poetry of this important Japanese porcelain set, made in the early 20th century, probably between the end of the Taishō era and the beginning of the Shōwa era, around 1920–1940.
Each piece features a particularly vibrant polychrome decoration, composed of different scenes: elegant women in kimono, flowering gardens, wisteria, pavilions, pagodas and traditional Japanese landscapes. This variety gives the set a special charm: no composition is exactly identical to another.
The decorations are realized in the Kutani porcelain tradition, with enamels in iron red, blue, green, pink and yellow tones, combined with fine decorative details and gilded highlights. The slightly irregular character of the line, the colors and some borders contribute to the artisanal charm of the set.
One particularly interesting element lies in the numerous marks on the back of the pieces. Several different signatures and seals in iron red have been noted, apparently indicating different workshops or decorators working in the Kutani tradition. Among the photographed marks are inscriptions “Dai Nippon,” a mark readable “Dai Nippon Kutani Sei” (“Great Japan – made in Kutani”), as well as export mentions “JAPAN” and “MADE IN JAPAN.”
The presence of several different marks within the same set is particularly interesting for collectors and reflects the functioning of Japanese decoration workshops aimed notably at the export market in the early 20th century.
Characteristics
Composition: 21 saucers/small plates and 1 milk jug, for a total of 22 pieces.
Origin: Japan.
Attribution: traditional Kutani production.
Estimated period: around 1920–1940, late Taishō – early Shōwa.
Material: porcelain.
Technique: polychrome enamel decoration, visible handwork, decorative highlights and gilding.
Marks: numerous different red signatures and seals, including “Dai Nippon,” “Dai Nippon Kutani Sei,” “JAPAN” and “MADE IN JAPAN.”
Condition report
Very good overall condition considering the age of the set. The porcelain retains a strong presence and colors remain bright. Some signs of wear, rubbing, small irregularities and occasional wear to the decorations or borders may be observed, consistent with the age of the pieces.
No major chips or cracks observed at the time of listing. The numerous photographs, especially those of the backs and marks, are an integral part of the description and allow a precise appreciation of the condition and unique features of each piece.
Shipping
Given the number of pieces and their fragility, each item will be protected individually, then separated from the others by several layers of protection before being placed in reinforced packaging suitable for porcelain. Tracked shipping and especially careful handling.

