Identifying Ceramic Marks Japan

A collection of pottery marks using photos and images from our antique collection for easy reference and as a quick guide to the possible attribution of your latest porcelain collectible or pottery marks.

Identifying ceramic marks japan.

From 1921 1941 wares from japan exported to the united states had to be marked japan or made in japan. The marks listed below are grouped as far as was possible in a logical order with similar signs graphics shapes etc grouped together. When translated several possible forms could have been. Identify a mark by shape.

Identify the maker of your japanese ceramics in alphabetical order. I always thought it was chinese but the mark seems otherwise as it has the cross in the circle at the top. Ikai yūichi s works are signed or stamped around the footring with the kanji character for yuichi his given name. I have a small ceramic vase with lid bought in a store in hong kong in 1972.

The wooden presentation box is signed with the same name and stamped. There are many problems with company names. Hidden within the kanji the characters on the bottom of the piece you will typically find the production region a specific kiln location a potter s name and sometimes a separate decorator s identity but at times only generic terms were recorded and tracking down. View view view.

The japanese word for ceramics is yakimono which is used to refer to all aspects of ceramics and pottery. Some marks look like a circle square bird or animal shape etc. The six main schools. Antique marks are listed according to their shapes.

Unless you re familiar with the japanese language identifying japanese pottery and porcelain marks can be a daunting task. This marks also occur with the addition of occupied japan while we can assume this mark dates to the early to mid 1950s. Some pottery schools in japan date back to the 12th century and there are six primary regions or kilns of pottery schools in japan bizen shigaraki seto echizen tamba and tokoname. Deldare pieces have their own unique marks identifying pieces as part of this line.

Obviously the original name of a german company was in german. A friendly reader rosalie babineaux have volunteered the information that this marks is a noritake contract mark for giftcraft importers of toronto canada in operation during the 50s and 60s. Some marks look like a circle square bird or animal shape etc. Marks with letters are listed in alphabetical order.

Buffalo made both semi vitreous and vitreous wares and some pieces indicated the type in the mark. Some marks are made up of letters listed in alphabetical order. During world war ii most ceramics factories for exports ceased except noritake see japanese ceramics of the last 100 years by irene stitt pg 167.