Rare Antique NIPPON Fan Mark Hand Painted Dish Pink Floral Gold Accents 19th Century Japanese Export Porcelain - Measures 12" length x 5" width ... Includes FREE SHIPPING. Note the projected collectibles, vintage, antiques, and memorabilia, U.S. market shows substantial growth on-average 6.5% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) to reach $280 Billion revenue by 2033.
This beautiful hand-painted piece is a great example of early Japanese porcelain made for the Western market.
Approximate Year of Manufacture
This dish dates to the "Nippon" era, specifically between 1891 and 1921.
Dating Clues:
The Mark: The blue underglaze mark clearly contains the word "Nippon" (the Japanese name for Japan), along with "Hand Painted."
The Law: U.S. tariff laws required all imports to be marked with the country of origin. From 1891 to 1921, "Nippon" was accepted. In 1921, U.S. Customs ruled that the country name must be in English, changing the required mark to "Japan" or "Made in Japan."
History and Context
The Nippon Export Boom
This dish was created during a "golden age" of Japanese porcelain export. Following the opening of Japan to the West, manufacturers quickly adapted their styles to appeal to European and American tastes, often producing ornate, heavily decorated pieces at a fraction of the cost of their European counterparts (like Limoges or R.S. Prussia).
The Design: The pattern, featuring pink clover/thistle and stylized brown seedpods with gold accents, is a classic example of Anglo-Japanese style. It blends the delicate floral motifs popular in the West during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods with Japanese hand-painting techniques.
The Mark: The blue fan mark with "Hand Painted Nippon" is a generic style used by numerous small decorating studios in the Nagoya region, rather than a single large manufacturer like Noritake, who used their own specific trademarks (like the "M in a Wreath").
The Item Type
The long, narrow, scalloped shape identifies it as a specialized serving piece, likely a Celery Dish, Relish Dish, or Asparagus Platter.
Celery Dishes were popular fixtures on Victorian and Edwardian tables, used to hold fresh celery stalks, which were considered a luxury item at the time.
Relish Dishes held various appetizers, pickles, or olives, reflecting the period's trend toward elaborate, multi-course dining.
This dish represents an antique collectible that bridges the gap between traditional Japanese craftsmanship and Western dining aesthetics of the turn of the 20th century.