Eggshell Porcelain | Nouveau-Deco | Japanese Cup & Saucer c.1910 | Lusterware

This tea set immediately hit two of my pleasure zones - eggshell porcelain and lusterware. Add in a soupcon of art deco, and you've got yourself a tantilising treat to gaze at, in between sips of espresso.

The stamp on the bottom is "Dai Nichi Hon" (Great Japan) over a sign meaning "roof/house" and the number "three", early 20th century. It is generally accepted that marks including "Dai Nippon" in Japanese characters on the whole date to the Meiji (1868-1912) period, reflecting the greatly increased nationalism of that period.

Some pieces however were stamped this way afterwards, but I think this one is legit.

This teaset came to me with four cups and saucers; two of them are with fleabites which is a pity; however I have listed all variants below, because the fleabites are really very tiny. In general there is very little wear to the pattern, but some of the gold has rubbed off on the handles off each piece. These cups & saucers also came with  matching side plates, a sugar bowl (plus lid) and a milk jug.

These pieces are listed separately, or can be bought together in a bundle...