Set of 8 Vintage JAPANESE ARITA “IMARI” TEA CUPS

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Set of 8 Vintage JAPANESE ARITA “IMARI” TEA CUPS - 1920

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Set of 8 Vintage JAPANESE ARITA “IMARI” TEA CUPS - 1920

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Sold Date: 02/19/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

Set of 8 Vintage Japanese ARITA“IMARI” TEA CUPS circa 1920.

Arita porcelain tea cups with Japanese 'Imari' decoration. Arita mark copying Chinese; Da Ming Chenghua Nian Zhi meaning: "Great Ming Chenghua made". Date: Taisho (1913-1926) period.

For Auction: A set of eight Japanese Arita Imari tea cups with exquisitely hand-painted pattern with lovely scalloped edge. The cups are decorated with a phoenix and a dragon in clouds . In Japan, as earlier in China, the mythical Phoenix was adopted as a symbol of the imperial household, particularily the empress. This mythical bird represents fire, the sun, justice, obedience, and fidelity. The dragon corresponds to the season spring, the color green/blue, the element wood, and the virtue propriety; supports and maintains the country (controls rain, symbol of the Emperor’s power). Often paired with the Phoenix, for the two represent both conflict and wedded bliss. In both China and Japan, Dragon and Phoenix symbolixm is associated closely with the imperial family -- the emperor (dragon) and the empress (phoenix).

Chinese porcelain, developed in Qing Dynasty, influenced Japanese Arita's Imari Porcelain. Japanese style Arita porcelain is blue-white color but due to European bright color preferences, Arita started producing colorful red-gold Imari porcelain which is known as Kaikemon, the seed of present colorful European porcelain. The Arita Mark on the bottom of the cups copy the Chinese; “ Da Ming Chenghua Nian Zhi “ meaning: " Great Ming Chenghua made ". Date: Taisho (1913-1926) period.

Very good vintage condition, slight ware on gold trim on lip, barely noticeable. No chips or cracks.

Dimensions: 3 inches high x 3.1/2 inch diameter.

We will be selling this beautiful set in “as is” condition to the highest bidder.

International buyers will be sent an invoice at the close of auction for the cost of shipping, buyers should contact us prior to bidding for a shipping quote.