Vintage Japanese Hand-Painted Porcelain Tea Cup and Saucer, Birds and Chrysanthemums

A charming vintage Japanese porcelain tea cup and saucer, dating to the Taishō to early Shōwa period, circa 1920s–1940s. The set is finely hand-painted with flying birds above a peaceful riverside village scene, framed by chrysanthemums, red reed grasses and delicate gilt accents.

The decoration is soft and atmospheric, with refined brushwork and natural tones that give the piece a calm Japanese aesthetic. The cup and saucer are both signed in black calligraphy to the base, suggesting work by an individual Japanese artisan rather than a purely mass-produced export piece.

Elegant, decorative and easy to display, this tea cup and saucer is a lovely addition to a collection of Japanese porcelain, hand-painted tea wares or early 20th-century Asian decorative arts.

Details:

• Origin: Japan
• Period: Taishō to early Shōwa period
• Date: Circa 1920s–1940s
• Maker: Japanese artisan, signed in black calligraphy
• Material: Porcelain
• Set: Tea cup and saucer
• Cup Diameter: 9 cm
• Saucer Diameter: 13.5 cm
• Decoration: Hand-painted birds, riverside village landscape, chrysanthemums, red reed grasses and gilt accents
• Marks: Black calligraphic signature to the base

Condition: Very good vintage condition, with light age-related wear only. There is some light wear to the gilt rim of the cup, consistent with age and careful use. The set displays beautifully.

Historical and Collector Context:

Japanese porcelain tea wares from the Taishō and early Shōwa periods often combined traditional landscape painting with refined decorative motifs suited to both domestic and export markets. Birds, flowers and quiet village scenes were popular subjects, reflecting harmony with nature and the seasonal beauty often found in Japanese decorative art.

Chrysanthemums are especially meaningful in Japanese design, long associated with elegance, longevity and imperial symbolism. Combined with the flying birds and riverside landscape, the decoration gives this set a peaceful and distinctly Japanese character.

A graceful and collectable vintage Japanese tea cup and saucer, ideal for display, collecting or as a refined decorative accent.