Antique Japanese Momota 百田 Yokohama Kutani-Style Porcelain Teacup and Saucer

An elegant antique Japanese Yokohama export porcelain teacup and saucer, bearing a red 百田 mark read as Momota and dating to the late Meiji or Taisho period, likely circa 1900–1920s.

The matching cup and saucer are finely hand-painted with a naturalistic Japanese scene of quails nestled among blooming chrysanthemums, grasses and delicate foliage. Soft enamel colours are enriched with subtle gilt highlights and a refined gold border, creating a graceful and balanced composition.

The saucer forms the visual centrepiece of the set, with two carefully painted quails surrounded by pink, yellow and blue floral accents. The decoration continues around the exterior of the cup, where a single quail appears among flowers and leaves beneath the gilt rim.

The bases bear a red 百田 mark, read as Momota. This mark is associated with the Yokohama export porcelain workshop of Shozaburo Momota, 百田庄三郎, active during the Meiji and Taisho periods. The workshop produced decorative porcelain for the export market in a refined Kutani-influenced style.

With its excellent condition, attractive bird-and-flower decoration and identifiable Momota mark, this cup and saucer would make an appealing addition to a collection of Japanese export porcelain, Yokohama ware or Meiji–Taisho ceramics.

Details

Item: Antique teacup and saucer

Workshop Attribution: Momota workshop, associated with Shozaburo Momota 百田庄三郎

Origin: Yokohama, Japan

Period: Late Meiji–Taisho period, likely circa 1900–1920s

Material: Porcelain with hand-painted enamel and gilt detailing

Markings: Red 百田 mark, read as Momota

Decoration: Quails, chrysanthemums, grasses and foliage with gilt highlights

Saucer Diameter: 14 cm

Cup Diameter: 9.5 cm

Condition

Excellent antique condition with minimal signs of age. No chips, cracks or repairs. Please review the photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.

Historical and Collector Context

Yokohama became an important centre for Japanese export ceramics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Workshops decorated porcelain with finely painted landscapes, birds, flowers and traditional motifs for international buyers, often drawing on the colour palette and decorative influence of Kutani ware.

The red 百田 mark is associated with Shozaburo Momota, a Yokohama export porcelain producer documented during the Meiji period. His workshop received recognition for export nishiki-style porcelain in the early 20th century. The mark gives this cup and saucer additional historical and collector interest while remaining best understood as a workshop attribution rather than proof of personal authorship.

Please Note

All items are vintage or antique and may show light signs of age. Please review all photos carefully as they form part of the description. Feel free to message with any questions prior to purchase.