Antique Noritake Cyrano Soup Bowls circa 1920s-1940s - Set of Three

My soul, be satisfied with flowers, with fruit, with weeds even; but gather them in the one garden you may call your own. Edmond Rostand, Cyrano de Bergerac

{HISTORY}

Cyrano. It's the name of a French novelist, a play, and a film. It's the inspiration behind a zillion romance stories and literary love affairs since the 17th century. And it also happens to be the name of this dish pattern made by Noritake in the 1920s.

Like its romantic namesake, these Cyrano soup bowls delight your senses with their colorful charm and culinary possibilities when it comes to inspiring all sorts of meals. 

Featuring joyful bouquets, thick patterned bands, thin stripes, and a color palette of turquoise, teal, black, yellow, pale pink, spring green, and blueberry, these bowls set the stage for a lovely meal and a pretty table. 

As you'd expect from any captivating storyteller, these three have seen some adventures in their day, which makes the gentle, slightly shabby wear along the pattern lines all the more interesting. Who wants to throw a fabulous dinner party with dishes that have lived one hundred years, yet look as if they are brand new and have never left the cabinet? Not us! Bring the character and the history, and watch your meal come to life.

That being said, the colors and designs on these bowls are exquisite and delightfully detailed. We can easily list an assortment of soupy menu items that would look great when paired with this trio... brothy French Onion, Corn Chowder, refreshing Cucumber, Potato and Spinach, Egg Drop, Matzo Ball, Carrot, Lobster Bisque, to name a few. And because of the accommodating size and shallow shape of these bowls, they aren't just limited to serving soups and stews. Scrambled eggs, pasta, salad, oatmeal, yogurt, fresh fruit, pouched fish, creamy casseroles, rice, slow-cooked beans, brisket... all have a comfortable home here. That's the hospitable Noritake way shining through, bowl by bowl. 

It's always very fun to trace the history of vintage and antique Noritake because their backstamps and pottery marks have changed so much over the course of two centuries as the company evolved into a worldwide brand. These dishes feature the laurel wreath mark with the M in the middle, which stands for the Morimura Brothers, who originally started the pottery in 1889. Back then, it was simply known as Nippon - the name of the region where the dishes were made. 

Since those early days, artisans for Nippon (and then Noritake) have always focused on fine craftsmanship, gorgeous color arrangements, and exquisite designs. That attention to detail and level of commitment led Noritake to become one of the most celebrated and sought-after dishware brands in the world, and are still to this day internationally recognized for quality and luxury. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Cyrano pattern
• Matching set of three
• Stamped on back with maker's mark and pattern name

{CONDITION}

In beautiful antique condition, these bowls contain no chips, cracks, spots or stains. The thin inner black stripes in the belly of the bowl are fading in some spots, and the inner turquoise band has the slightest of wear in one area on each bowl. The floral bouquets are crisp and clear and all colors are vibrant. Please see photos. 

{SIZE}

Each bowl measures 7.5" inches in diameter and weighs 11 oz.