Vintage Hand-Painted Japanese Tashiro Shoten Demitasse Cups – Set of 2
Up for sale is a charming pair of vintage Japanese porcelain demitasse cups produced/exported by the renowned merchant Tashiro Shoten in the early 20th century (circa 1920s–1930s).
Each cup features a fluted hourglass silhouette with deep cobalt blue borders decorated in intricate gilt scrollwork, surrounding vivid hand-painted panel scenes:
- Front Panel: Detailed scene depicting traditional Japanese scholars or sages gathering around a scroll/board.
- Back Panel: A peaceful landscape scene featuring thatched-roof huts, pine trees, and distant water.
- Accent Detail: Scattered maple leaves and starburst accents with rich hand-applied enamel texture (moriage style).
- Base Mark: Stamped on the bottom in gold glaze on a red oval ground with the Japanese characters for Tashiro (田代).
Condition Report
- Overall: Excellent vintage condition with normal signs of light shelf wear consistent with age.
- Porcelain: No chips, cracks, or hairline fractures found.
- Decoration: Colors remain bright and vibrant; gold trim along the handle and rims shows minimal wear.
- Please review all photos carefully for exact physical condition and measurements.
Dimensions
- Rim Diameter: ~2.5 in (~6.4 cm)