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I have been given a few pieces from an aunt of mine that passed of late, I'm sorry I know little about each piece most look at least vintage. I've learned some... found this forum! Any information would be great. Thank You

FYI, this link is corrupt. Even cleaned up, it leads only to a photobucket sign-in page.

Bill H.

Thanks Bill for the "heads up" on my post. I'm looking into how to clean up {understand } photo bucket... and re-post. Renee

ditto

Photos I hope.
Thanks all!

Renee,

I agree, it appears to be a soy sauce bowl. I *think* the mark is Japanese, and that's the only Asian cuisine I know of that uses such things anyways.

Traditional Japanese design is irregular and asymmetrical, however, and the wares themselves also often irregular in form, in accordance with the Japnese concept of wabi sabi which celebrates nature and its irregularity in almost everything, although inexpensive mass-produced contemporary wares are often more regular, especially if they might have been produced in China, whose traditional designs are far more regular and symmetrical. The symmetrical and regular nature of every aspect of this design, the smoothness, color, and sheen of the glaze all weigh against it being very old or of any value, wherever it was actually made, but do point at the possibility of manufacture in China for the Japanese mass market.

I can't even be certain the design is hand-painted. Look at the whole set closely, and see how much one looks exactly like the others in every tiny detail. Variation, even slight, even in just the coverage of the colored glaze would point to at least hand painted even if the piece itself was mass produced; absolutely identical guarantees mass production.

With Asian pottery, you also have to look at the entire base of the piece, including especially the rim that the piece sits on, to even have half a chance of determining whether ithe piece itself was even handmade or not. If the rim on this piece is white, the same as the rest of the base, then it is unquestionably of contemporary design rather than anything older, and certainly mass production.

This could still mean vintage of course, but not antique, certainly not of any value. It would almost undoubtedly be 20th century, possibly mid-century if your aunt has had them for a long time, but highly unlikely to be any older.

Also, set the piece on a level surface with the upper rim at eye level. If it's regular all the way around, the form at least is mass produced contemporary. If there is any variation and waviness, it is more likely to have been handmade.

Hope this helps. I'm not a expert in this area but I have studied ancient Asian and other antique pottery and porcelain enough to be able to say at least this much with reasonable certainty, and that this is not an item I'd seek an appraisal or expert evaluation for, or pay any more for than what a brand new one would cost, at the most.

Remember that just because an item is vintage or even antique does not mean it has any value other than as just another used item, and the majority do not. Those terms are just indications of minimum ages, not value. Enjoy your little dishes for what they are and whatever sentimental value they may hold for you, but don't expect big bucks if you sell them ;-)

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