Produced from 1906 to 1991, Noritake's most opulent pattern, considered one of the most beautiful ever made, is generally known as design number 16034, 43061, or 175, and has been long admired for its hand-painted 24Kt gold enameled border detail.
Noritake's quality porcelain presents a bright white center and a light yellow, hand-tinted border, a subtle base for the elegance of gold gilt beaded rims, raised scrolls, floral bulbs, and it crowning glory, interpreted as the ornamental "Christmas Ball".
This hand-painted Christmas Ball Teapot dessert service adds a striking touch to your Holiday dessert presentation, both well-made vintage elegance from one of the most esteemed china manufacturers.
Display stand is not included.
Origin: Japan; pre-owned
Dimensions: Teapot (24 ounces to rim/ 3 CUP)- 8 1/2"W x 4 1/2"H
Sugar Bowl- 6 1/4"W (handle to handle) x 3"H (est.)
Creamer-5"W (spout to Handle) x 2 1/8"H
Cups (2)- 2 1/4"H x 3 1/2"W opening
The teapot has the green #16034 mark (c. 1918-1930). The sugar bowl and creamer have the early Christmas Ball green mark with Japanese characters (c.1918-1930). The Cups have the gold #175 mark (1935-1991).
Condition: Very good/ Great. Light gold loss to the teapot lid finial and handle bend is noted. Heavier gold loss is seen around the spout. A small porcelain nub, glazed to the teapot interior rim underside was felt (it is hidden under the rim and could not be photographed), and which appears to be a remnant of the punched straining holes. The embossed raised design is excellent and bright.
Gold loss to the sugar bowl lid handle (heavier) is noted. The handles and embossed gold detail are also intact and shiny (one handle has a small area of bubbles in the paint). Two black specks from the firing process during production are seen to the interior bowl and rim.
The creamer has very light smudging and a pin head mark to the handle (no loss), one black speck, as well, from production and one speck of gold paint to the lower white area. The gold is overall intact and the embossed detail is equally excellent, bright and shiny.
There are no issues to the cups. The saucers show light use marks. The gold detail is bright and intact. While the cups have the gold #175 mark there are none on the saucers.
Each piece is clean, with no chips, cracks, stains, or crazing. As this set is hand-painted there are few signs of paint drips to the yellow band, common to this pattern. A very pretty set.