Antique Nippon Ware Sauce Boat With Underplate

Details

Description

…Late 19th Century | European-Inspired Design | Leaf Form
A charming example of Japanese craftsmanship meeting Western aesthetic sensibilities. This … Read more …Late 19th Century | European-Inspired Design | Leaf Form
A charming example of Japanese craftsmanship meeting Western aesthetic sensibilities. This elegant sauce boat and underliner set showcases the exquisite quality and cross-cultural artistry that made Nippon ware highly collectible on both sides of the Pacific.
Design & Form
Sauce Boat & Underliner

Graceful leaf-form server with organic, naturalistic shape
Elegant European-style decoration reflecting Western tastes
Beautiful hand-painted details and gilt accents
Round underplate (6" diameter) perfectly scaled to the boat
Sauce boat dimensions: approximately 6" × 5" × 3"

Decorative Details

Refined painting in the European manner—a hallmark of export Nippon
Delicate color palette and ornamental motifs
Quality that rivals European porcelain of the period

Understanding Nippon Ware
A Brief History
The term "Nippon" is simply the Japanese word for Japan. From 1891 to 1921, the United States required that all imported goods be marked with their country of origin. Japanese porcelain exported to America during this thirty-year window was marked "Nippon" rather than "Japan," creating a distinct and now highly collectible category.
Why Nippon Ware Matters
This period represents a fascinating moment in decorative arts history. Japanese porcelain manufacturers, eager to capture the lucrative American and European markets, created pieces that blended superior Japanese ceramic techniques with Western forms and decorative styles. The result was porcelain of exceptional quality—often rivaling or exceeding European makers—designed specifically for Western tables and tastes. Nippon ware represents globalization at the turn of the century, when Japanese artisans studied European design catalogs and created hybrid pieces that appealed to American consumers seeking affordable luxury.
Marks & Dating

Properly undermarked "Nippon"
Late 19th century production, circa 1891-1900
Export quality piece made for the Western market

Condition
Excellent antique condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. The gilt and painted decoration remain vibrant. Minor age-appropriate wear to gilt on high points only adds to the authenticity. A remarkably well-preserved example.
Styling & Use

Perfect for sauce service at formal dinners
Beautiful as part of a China cabinet display
Mix with European porcelain for an eclectic table
Ideal for collectors of Nippon ware or japonisme

Provenance
We recently hopped a plane to Paris to hit a few favorite flea markets—the perfect antidote to ease the stress of living in the USA these days. This charming Nippon set was discovered among the treasures at the marchés aux puces, a delightful reminder that Japanese export porcelain found its way into European homes over a century ago and continues to surface in the most unexpected places.

For collectors of Nippon porcelain, lovers of cross-cultural design, and those who set a beautiful table with pieces that have stories to tell. See less