SATSUMA MORIAGE

 I remain in Chinoiserie mode and have almost completed my Meiji period Satsuma Moriage collection.  I have a beautiful eggshell teacup and a creamer/sugar geisha girl set with the same backstamp signature.   I would like to have one more teacup, but I won't pay a premium, so I'll have to be patient.  On the way is a teapot featuring poets that have no backstamp.  That's not a good thing, because its origin and authenticity cannot be verified and it lessens the value.  I got it anyway because, despite an extensive search, it's the only teapot I found that coordinates with my set, I love it, and it should be here next week.

My search for more information about these pieces was lackluster.  They look as though they are from the Meiji period (1868-1912) when Japan began to immerge from its isolationism.  That said, I wasn't able to find specifics on the pieces, and they may have been produced in the mid-20th century. Satsuma is a region in the southeastern tip of Japan where Satsuma pottery was originally manufactured.  Satsuma pottery has a classic crackle glaze which these do not.  Later, Japanese porcelain artists used designs on fine porcelain that were influenced by Satsumian artists, but not necessarily from the region. Fine porcelain was manufactured in other cities or regions such as Kyoto, Imari, Yokohama, or Tokyo (Edo) and is most likely where my pieces were made.   Two design features suggest that these are original pieces:  1)  The washes splash outside of the outlines (a good thing), and 2) the crosshatching is classic Satsuma.  Moriage (pronounced more-ee-ah-ghee with a hard g) is a technique used to apply raised enamel designs to the piece, especially gold.  The pieces are multi-colored, but the predominant color is red sometimes referred to as "iron" red, often with dark or cobalt blues, and most pieces are loaded with gold accents.  The teapot, however, has some red, but most of the washes are pastel and dominate the piece.  As I mentioned earlier, the teapot features noblemen, scholars, or poets whereas the cup/saucer and Creamer/sugar feature geishas.  Here's the seller's ebay photo of the teapot.

LEMONS TO LEMONADE

 This story begins with an ebay purchase gone awry.    I ordered two beautiful pedestal teacups and when they arrived, they were little teacups that held about 3 tablespoons of liquid.  I was so disappointed that I contacted the seller and asked for a refund which she accepted.  The more I looked at these beautiful little teacups the more I wanted to keep them.  So I decided to put together a child's tea set.  Rather than a teapot, I found these beautiful figural creamers.  I am so pleased with this set.  Now I need some little plates which I found but am waiting to make the leap.

MOTHER'S DAY

Feeling blessed because I have such a beautiful daughter.  She makes me feel so special on Mother's Day.    I also had a wonderful mother who now celebrates with the angels. The dining room decor and table setting are my "lite" version of Chinoiserie.   My choice was to stay home for dinner and cook. 

The menu:

Prosecco Aperol cocktail

Baratta & pickled beets on arugula and red chickory with walnuts, lemon dressing, & a drizzle of honey

Ribeye steak, grilled with mushrooms and onions

Twice stuffed potatoes

Fresh corn on the cob

Fresh sauteed spinach with shallots and bacon

Fresch strawberries on pound cake with whipped cream.

Coffee/Tea

Full disclosure:  We were too full for dessert...we'll have it tomorrow.

MORE CHINOISERIE

This seems to be my blue and white period, or better yet, I have immersed myself in Chinoiserie which became popular during the Georgian period in England and France.  It is the Western interpretation of East Asian decor.   Ever popular green rooms with lots of gold gild and blue and white vases, planters, bowls, and ginger jars with classic Chinese architecture reflected in molding, picture frames, mirrors, and furniture.  The rooms are usually painted a light green but sometimes are "Chinese" red.   Chinoiserie lost its popularity in the early 20th century.  It remains a classic style and can be found in some home decor.   In my previous post, you will see a room designed by Carolyn Roehm in classic Chinoiserie style using all the classic colors.  She takes artistic license and uses a pretty magenta instead of "Chinese" red for the silk accent pillows.  Here's a great example of Chinois fabric:

Fabric sample from Post House: $58/yd

I had fun transforming my dining room into a quasi Chinoiserie style.   My room has red walls. The color is Benjamin Moore Persimmon which leans to a pinkish-red color and blends well with other reds.  The dining room furniture is far from Chinese, or Asian and in fact, is Biedermeier (art deco), but I'm not looking for a complete transformation.  The collage below is the way I play around with colors on the screen before I apply the design.  I didn't include the crinkle green tablecloth, but it's a consideration.

My table is set with blue and white Fine China of Japan, Royal Meissen. I cleared the cloches off the teacart and decorated it with an imari bowl filled with nesting teacups and a rice eyes teapot.  I've dotted the room with blue and white porcelain and resurrected a birdcage, placed it on an Asian-style accent table, and filled it with fairy lights.  I do get a little carried away, and my husband just shakes his head. I find the process fascinating. 

I've spent the last few days procuring several pieces to add to my collection. The most difficult to identify were the red, blue, and gold pieces with raised enamel (moriage) over the glaze.  I found a sugar, creamer, and teacup/saucer in this gorgeous design, and upon researching, discovered that they are Meiji Period Japanese Kyoto Satsuma Moriage, circa 1868-1890.  Amazing Japanese porcelain art.

Meiji Period Japanese Kyoto Satsuma Moriage, circa 1860-1890

I can't help myself with the birds, so I found this figural teapot.  It's American, but the blue is what works with Chinoiserie.

Meridian Ceramics, Kingfisher

And finally, I'm waiting for an auction to end for 2 Imari plates.  I bid $0.99!   I have a 6 1/2" plate, so why not expand the collection for such a bargain.

Japanese Imari Dragon Plates, ebay bid, $0.99

COMING UP: Mother's Day, and photos of the dining room.   Have a good night!

BLUE WILLOW

 Having received the Fine China of Japan, Royal Meissen plates (4) from ebay, I set my table in blue and white which Vinnie loves.  He said it's his favorite table setting.  

Upon ordering the plates, I dove into research about the dishware.   It was produced in Japan in the mid 20th Century, and was popular in the 1970's.  These dishes should not be mistaken for Meissen porcelain which is quite valuable. The Fine China of Japan, Royal Meissen pattern was discontinued, and can only be found on resale sites.   Price wise, my newly acquired set is mid range, but I had to be careful in my selection because the costs were all over the place on ebay.  In the end, for six bread and four dinner plates, I spent $121 all in.  I like this pattern for two reasons: It's a pretty shade of blue that blends well with other blue and white patterns, and the plates have a scalloped rim which adds interest.

My table is set with a Blue Willow teacup (England) and saucer (Japan) which led me to research this pattern.  Created in England in the mid 1700s the pattern is essentially a knock off of Chinese Nanking porcelain.   The creator, Thomas Turner, also made up the Blue Willow Legend as a marketing ploy.  The pattern became wildly popular as part of the chinoiserie decor movement of the Georgian Era. While chinoiserie decor died out, Blue Willow and other blue and white patterns remain quite popular.  I love an eclectic table, so I mix and match.  The teapot is a Chinese style called Rice Eyes, or Rice Grain, because there are little rice-shaped divots in the porcelain that lets the light shines through. Again, mix and match for interest.  

The photo under my table setting is Carolyne Roehm's Weatherston home in Connecticut.  A famous designer, artist, and author, she has a vast collection of blue and white porcelain with many large pieces displayed in this chinoiserie room.  Chinoiserie still exists as a specialized decor style.

Plates: Fine China of Japan, Royal Meissen.  Tea cup and saucer: Blue Willow

Carolyne Roehm's chinoiserie room at her Weatherstone Connecticut home