Chikaramachi Japanese Hand-Painted Floral Tea Cup & Saucer, 1930s

Someone in 1930s Japan clearly had strong feelings about the inside of a teacup. Because while most cups get a nice border and call it a day, this one got the full treatment: pink and orange blossoms climbing all the way around the inside rim, grey leaves cascading down, and a little swirl of gold at the edge for good measure. Show-off, in the best possible way.

This Chikaramachi teacup and saucer is decorated with a bold hand-painted floral design — pink and burnt-orange flowers with yellow centres, against a sweep of grey foliage and twisting black vines on a white ground. The scalloped saucer rim and the curved, wide-mouthed cup form are very much of their era: confident, cheerful, and not remotely shy. The gold rim runs along the scalloped edge of both cup and saucer.

Part of the same Chikaramachi Art Deco floral series as the cake set and serving platters — great for mixing and matching or building a full table setting. Marked on the base with the distinctive red Chikaramachi crown-and-wreath stamp.

Sold individually. Three available — each piece may show minor variation as all are hand-painted.

• 1 teacup with matching saucer
• Hand-painted pink, orange and grey floral design, gold rim
• Scalloped saucer edge, wide-mouthed cup with loop handle
• Interior painted with floral motif
• Weight: approx. 200g per cup and saucer
• Marked: Chikaramachi Hand Painted (Japanese export porcelain)
• 1930s, Japan
• Condition: good vintage condition consistent with age

WARNING: Drinking tea from this cup will make you feel significantly more put-together than you actually are. Maison de L'oro accepts no responsibility for any sudden interest in Japanese ceramics, the construction of an Art Deco display shelf, or the realisation that you now need two more to make a set.