1880’s MEIJI Set Of 3 KATŌ SHUNKO Seto Ware Porcelain DEMI CUPS & SAUCERS BIRDS

Description: Gorgeous highly detailed eggshell porcelain Set of Three Demi Cups & Saucers. These stunning demitasse cups & saucers were made by Kato Shunko and date from 1880-1900. Each cup and saucer has intricate details of sparrow birds and chrysanthemums. All accented with black and gold scrolled edges. Kato or Shoh’zan Shunko was an ardent student of pottery techniques and traditions originating beyond Japan. Around 1875 he established a pottery in Seto, Aichi Prefecture and started to export Seto ware around 1881-1882. He worked assiduously to expand his business to become Seto's largest factory, providing Morimura-gumi with both clay and unfired pottery blanks. He also had his own “Shunko" brand porcelain. His porcelain works are noted for their thinness and beautiful shapes. Later his wares began to be sold by the Morimura Group, which ultimately established Noritake. Thus, his wares are so-called "pre-Nippon", early example of Japanese ware for Western markets and are sometimes grouped with "Old Noritake", though actually pre-dating Noritake. Kato is the family name, Shunko is the given name. In great condition for their age, these dainty, eggshell porcelain cups & saucers are marked by Kato Shunko and would make a stunning addition to any Nippon collection, as a very “Pre-Nippon” piece. They are all very thin porcelain which can be seen through when held up to the light. One saucer is in perfect condition, one has a very tiny chip to the edge or rim, and the other has a hairline crack to the porcelain, but no roughness to the outside… as if the crack happened during the firing process. One cup is also in perfect condition, one has a tiny hairline to the handle and the other has a larger hairline that goes down and across. I have circled in red the damage to the pieces. All of the hairlines are smooth and don’t appear to have been caused by nicking them porcelain, but instead, appear to have happened in the firing process. Please look at all my pictures as they are part of my description and used to show the quality and condition of my items. I have seen a ewer or pitcher and a vase from Kato Shunko sold with this exact hand painted design before, but have never seen Demi cups and saucers offered or sold on eBay! Would definitely make a stunning addition to your 1800’s Kato Shunko or Noritake collection! The saucers measure 4 3/4” in diameter. The cups measure 2 1/8” High, with a 2 3/8” diameter. I will be listing several more cups and saucers made by Shunko so be sure to check out my other listings for more great Meiji period finds!

Price: 147.5 USD

Location: Watertown, Wisconsin

End Time: 2024-11-14T18:10:50.000Z

Shipping Cost: 12.5 USD