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Wondering if anyone can help me with identifying this mark so I can research this piece a bit more.

Thank you.

Hi,

The mark reads; Shunko Sei (see picture).

This is the mark of Shunko Kato 2nd, synonym for Harumitsu Kato, who established a pottery in Seto, Aichi Prefecture, around 1875. He started to export Seto ware about 1881-1882. Kato is the family name, Shunko or Harumitsu is the given name.

Later his wares began to be sold by the Morimura Group, which ultimately established Noritake. Thus, his wares are so-called "pre-Nippon", early examples of Japanese ware for Western markets and are sometimes grouped with "Old Noritake", though actually pre-dating Noritake.

The mark reads Shunko Sei, not Harumitsu Sei, although those are the same characters. The Kato Shunko kiln from Seto supplyed Morimura-gumi(exporter) blank porcelains and also had its own, "Shunko" brand porcelain.

Regards,
Martin.

Thank you! My original assumption was that it might be Nippon, but I didn't expect it to be an earlier piece. What a thorough explanation!. My grandmother was an antique dealer and when she passed this was one of the pieces I kept. I foolishly never asked her about it, I only knew it was Japanese. I don't know it's age for certain, but you have helped me on the research path.

jo

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