Rare Black Nippon Sugar Bowl - Dragon Pattern circa 1920's

Happiness is like those palaces in fairy tales whose gates are guarded by dragons... Alexandre Dumas 

{HISTORY}

This very rare black Nippon sugar bowl was once part of a tea set that contained cups and saucers, a tea pot and a creamer. This sugar jar in-particular was a gift in the 1930's to a beautiful woman named Margaret Theresa (pictured here) who lived by the sea in New Jersey. Hand-painted with a dragon motif that wraps around the entire jar and an interlocked repeating Asian design that wraps around the collar and the base, this is a gorgeous and unique piece of dragonware that sings with history. 

Accompanied by its original lid, a photograph of its original owner and a note detailing the circumstances surrounding the gift, this is a true beauty for any early Noritake collector. 

Nippon was the original beginnings of the Noritake brand created by the Morimura Brothers in 1889. Before the brothers started producing their own porcelain dishes under the name Noritake, they purchased blanks from other Japanese potteries and hired artists to hand paint designs on them. These finished pieces were stamped Nippon Handpainted and exported to America. It took 10 years for the Brothers to learn and develop their craft of pottery making. Once their operation and manufacture procedure were sorted out they began using the Noritake maker's mark in the early 1900's. 

This sugar bowl was made by the Brothers around 1920 or 1930. It was gifted to its original owner in 1936 and is stamped with the rare and hard to find Nippon Handpainted floral mark containing the Morimura Brothers initials.   Delicate and exquisite in design, it serves equally well as an art piece and a functional sugar bowl for your tea service. Dragons in Japanese culture represent strength, goodness and good fortune and are cherished and esteemed figures in Japaenese storytelling. Perhaps just the conversation starter you need when entertaining your next guests over a cup of tea!

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Very rare pattern

- Stamped with original maker's mark

- Black painted porcelain with dragon design 

- Contains original lid, photograph of original owner and handwritten detailing the provenance of the piece

{CONDITION}

In gorgeous condition, the base is free of chips and cracks. There is one small chip in the top handle section of the lid, however due to design and shape it is barely noticeable. Please see photos.

{SIZE}

Measures 5" inches (tall) x 5.5" inches (width handle to handle)

{STYLE IDEA}

Pair this gorgeous sugar bowl with this gorgeous antique Nippon petite platter and watch your tea time treats come alive with history.