Old Japanese tea set 1920 – 1940

Old Japanese tea set (12 pieces) made of porcelain in Satsuma style with secret lithophane on the cups showing a Geisha; first half 20th century. century (1920 - 1940); these lithophanes are relief depictions made of translucent material, which unfold their effect in the backlight and guarantee a great tea experience; the tea set consists of 4 teacups made of eggshell porcelain, 5 saucers, a large teapot, a small milk jug and a sugar bowl; all 4 tea bowls have the lithophane with the Geisha depiction on the bottom of the cup; except for the cups, all objects have a porcelain mark "Nichi Hon Nippon - Dai Nippon, or "Great Japan" on the bottom; these fantastic porcelain objects were made for export during the Taisho period (1913-1926) and the early Showa period (after 1926); all pieces beautifully decorated in the Satsuma style, the painting shows Kannon with two rakan on each side, above Kannon is a golden cross in a circle representing the coat of arms of the Shimazu family; the Shimazu were a Japanese noble family that ruled for 700 years; the decoration was worked in the Moriage method; these are relief-like decorations made of coloured clay to give the Japanese porcelain a three-dimensional appearance; also richly decorated with gold and polychrome painting; these porcelain sets are now rare as many lithophane objects are broken due to their thin workmanship; traces according to age and use; - The objects are all individually and securely packed, but due to their extreme fragility no guarantee can be given when shipping; dimensions tea cups: approx. 4 cm high / ∅ 7.5 cm - Dimensions saucers: approx. ∅ 7.5 cm - Dimensions plates: approx. ∅ 11 cm - Dimensions teapot: approx. 16 cm high - Dimensions milk jug: approx. 10 cm high - Dimensions sugar bowl: approx. 10.5 cm high