Posted 8 years ago
katherines…
(247 items)
So this little cup is stamped Made In Japan in black ink, and appears to be handpainted. 2 3/4" tall. Judging by the backstamp, 50s era? At first glance it appears to be roughly made, but following Karen's idea, perhaps the "imperfections" are deliberate, for instance, there is a "chip" at the base, but touching it one feels that it isn't rough and the glaze isn't missing but rather goes over the '"flaw." And that delicate shade of pink blushed at the base is not unattractive. If anyone can tell me the type of bird and flower decor used here is and what it signifies, also what this type of cup was used for, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for looking.
Thanks for the love, jscott0363, and nutsabotas6. :)
The bird is a Phoenix. I'm not good with flowers..... I think this is a sake cup.
1940s/1950s.
It's lovely Katherine.
I agree with Bonnie on the Phoenix, don't know which flower itis.
This might help:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanakotoba
Thanks for the love, sklo42, vetraio50, kivatinitz, Efesgirl, and racer4four. :)
Bonnie, you are wonderful, thanks so much for your help as always, greatly appreciated. :)
Karen, thanks so much, I will look into the link right now, your help is also greatly appreciated. :)
Interesting. Appears to be the same cup, without the decor on the interior edge. They claims theirs is transferware, c.70s.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ceramic-2-pc-Japan-Phoenix-cobalt-blue-white-Tea-Sake-Cups-transferware-/161407570790?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=Pt2zrstMbQb6jSsp0eKCF7dUcLw%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
Even more interesting:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/224324850/morimura-brothers-blue-and-white-phoenix?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=phoenix&ref=sr_gallery_4
Your first link shows the very same sake cups as the one you have. It is transfer ware, but not 1970s if one is to date it according to the backstamp. I think the Seller was just guessing. The ones for sale on eBay have had their interior design scrubbed off. Your sake cup is in far better condition!
Thanks, Bonnie, apparently this pattern, which is known as Blue Phoenix, has been around for a while. It isn't actually a phoenix, it is a mythological creature whose actual name is Fenghuang (male/female) and is supposed to represent good things. And from the design inside and the stamp outside, I'm wondering if it isn't from the 20s when Made in Japan backstamps were first used? As to who made it, your guess is as good as anybody's, but yes not Morimura Brothers, I don't think.
I checked the format of the backstamp on your sake cup and it looks pretty much like the backstamps from the 1940s/1950s. Scroll down on this page and you will eventually see it:
http://www.gotheborg.com/marks/20thcenturyjapan.shtml
kath - you have mail......
Okay, my dear, and yes, after more research, I agree it's probably 40s/50s.
BTW, I did notice your rather loud comment.....I remain unconvinced.....hahahaha!
You mean shouting doesn't work??? ROFL, good!!!! ;))
Thanks for the love, mikelv85, Radegunder, kyratango, and SEAN68, and jscott0363, Trey, Elisabethan, and Vladimir. :)