Vintage Japanese Kutani Dinnerware and Accessories Start Price USD 4,999.99 Current Price USD 4,999.99 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, September 06, 2008 End Time Saturday, September 13, 2008 Location Gulfport, MS See more about ' Vintage Japanese Kutani Dinnerware and Accessories' Description This is indeed a treasure from my grandmother’s estate.  She had great taste (my opinion).  This is some of the most exquisite china I've seen.  My grandmother used it for the traditional holidays, as well as those frequent card parties and ladies luncheons they had in the 1930's and 1940's.  I have photos of some of those events.  Looks like they had the best of times!  I have used select pieces of it myself on two very special occasions.  It was a definite conversation piece!   This exquisite dinner/tableware is late 19th or early 20th century Japanese Kutani porcelain, circa 1890-1920.  "The word Kutani means Nine Valleys and is the name of an area and a village. Since Kutani is a place name, almost all pieces marked Kutani were decorated there, even if by many small manufacturers and trading shops, rather than just a single factory."  The design is intricately hand-painted in what I believe is gold, and portrays a peaceful lake village with bridge in the shadow of a looming Mt. Fuji. The coffee cups carry the lithopaned head of a Geisha girl in the bottom, which is most visible when held to a light.  A rarity indeed.  A truly unusual set.  This would make an astonishing anniversary or wedding gift.  The entire collection includes a service for 8 with 2 extra dinner plates, a coffee service, a tea set, and a luncheon set with additional tea service.  The individual breakdown is as follows:   Dinner Plates - 10 Soup Bowls - 8 Dessert/Salad Bowls - 8 Coffee Cups -10 Saucers - 9 Large Oval Platter - 1 Large Covered Serving Dish - 1 Large Serving Bowls - 3 Coffee/Tea Pot, sugar and creamer (a separate set from the tea set mentioned below) Luncheon Set - 6 cups and 6 plates Tea Set - includes teapot, sugar, and creamer   Each piece is signed, but only a few actually say, "KUTANI."  Most of the pieces bear the painter's mark.  This collection is from my grandmother's estate and has been in our familys' possession for over 50 years.  All pieces are in mint condition, except for one broken knob on a teapot lid and there is a missing saucer.  It could use a good cleaning and the gold would probably gleam like new!  I will consider sales of individual sets, i.e., the tea sets, coffee set, luncheon set, etc.  No individual pieces are for sale.  (Note:  Some pieces in the group picture are not included.  The picture is merely a representation of how the china looks when displayed in a hutch.  But, please feel free to inquire about other pieces in the cabinet (which was made for me especially by my husband).   Because this is an auction and all sales are final, I encourage you to email me with questions before you place your bid.  My photography attempts leave a lot to be desired, but I will be happy to provide as many details and additional photographs as you would like for this offer.  Otherwise, your bid constitutes receipt of the lot as pictured.    Please remember that these items have been previously enjoyed by my family, and therefore I take great care to ensure that their conditions are as described.  Payment is accepted through PayPal only, and expected upon closing of the bid.   NOTE:  Shipping is NOT 0.01.  Due to the bulk and weight of this complete set, exact shipping charges will be calculated depending upon ship-to location of winning bidder, and only to legitimate street addresses and zip codes in the lower 48 states.  But, I'll be happy to calculate the shipping, handling, and insurance costs if you will e-mail your information to me.  No post office boxes.  Local bids welcome!   Thank you for checking out my listing and happy, happy biddingJJJJJ!   Place a Bid!