Magnificent complete Japanese tea service - Geisha motifs and nacreous reflections - Gilding - In - Eggshell porcelain - Dai Nipon — 大日本 - Japan - Taishō period (1912-1926)

A Journey to Early 20th-Century Japan – The Radiance of a Well-Preserved Tea Set

Be captivated by this magnificent 25-piece Japanese tea set, made of fine, translucent “eggshell” porcelain. It includes 11 cups and their 11 matching saucers, a teapot, a lidded sugar bowl, and a milk jug: a harmonious set in which every piece shares the same colors and motifs.

Against an orange background with pearlescent highlights, feminine figures dressed in blue stand out alongside red flowers, delicate grasses, and small pagodas. The blue that wraps around the lower part of each piece adds depth to these scenes, while gilt accents highlight the handles and details of the set. The surface reveals new reflections as the light changes; held up to a light source, the porcelain of the cups displays its remarkable delicacy.

This decoration is the result of patient craftsmanship. Each cup’s curves must be followed, the figures and flowers drawn, the colors applied, and then the details refined to maintain consistency from one piece to the next. The motifs, painted and finished by hand, give this set the charm of objects to which an artisan has devoted time and care.

The red mark 大日本 reads “Dai Nippon,” meaning “Great Japan.” It confirms the set’s Japanese origin, while its style suggests a date around the Taisho era, 1912–1926. The richness of its colors and figurative scenes calls to mind the Kutani decorative tradition, which began in the 17th century in the Kaga region and was later renewed by generations of porcelain painters.

Its very fine state of preservation adds to its appeal: the colors have retained their vibrancy, the pearlescent highlights their brilliance, and the pieces show no chips or cracks. A few slight signs of age on the gilding simply speak to the set’s age.

A striking tea set to admire in a collection or arrange on a table, where its colors can tell their story.

Shipping

Given the delicacy of this porcelain, each of the 25 pieces will be individually wrapped and protected. The cups, saucers, and serving pieces will be separated by several layers of protective material, then carefully secured in a reinforced box suitable for transporting fragile items. The parcel will be prepared with the utmost care to ensure the set reaches you in the best possible condition.