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ðĶĒ A little piece of old-world beauty…
There are some antiques that are lovely from across the room — and then there are the ones that make you want to pick them up and study every tiny detail. This beautiful antique Hand Painted Nippon bowl is definitely the latter. ðâĻ
Dating to the Nippon export era, approximately 1891–1921, this approximately 7-inch porcelain bowl features a dreamy hand-painted waterscape with graceful white swans floating across a quiet lake beneath a warm golden sky. Soft mountains, trees, grasses and reflections give the scene an almost storybook quality.
And then there is that border! ð
A rich cobalt blue ground surrounds the central painting and is covered with elaborate raised detailing, tiny bead-like accents, scrolling designs and generous gold decoration.
Additional scenic reserves appear around the rim, including more swan imagery, making the decoration beautiful from virtually every direction.
The gently scalloped shape gives the bowl even more dimension, while the exterior is finished in creamy white porcelain with additional gold embellishment.
ðĶĒ DETAILS
Antique Japanese porcelain
Marked “Hand Painted / Nippon” on underside
Circa 1891–1921
Approximately 7 inches in diameter
Hand-painted swan and lake landscape
Deep cobalt blue decoration
Extensive gold embellishment
Raised bead-like / moriage-style detailing
Multiple scenic panels around the border
Scalloped rim
Cream/white porcelain exterior
Beautiful as a cabinet or display piece
ð A BEAUTIFUL VANITY OR JEWELRY BOWL
Although this was created as decorative porcelain, I couldn't resist styling it with pearls. It would be absolutely gorgeous on a dresser or vanity holding favorite jewelry — or displayed all by itself on a plate stand where the painting can be enjoyed.
Pearls and display stand shown in photographs are styling props only and are NOT included.
ðŋ CONDITION
This is a genuine antique piece more than a century old and shows age-appropriate wear, including areas of wear/loss to the gilding and raised decorative details. Please look closely at all photographs, including the detailed close-ups, as they are an important part of the condition description.
The underside retains its original blue Hand Painted / Nippon mark.
Antique and vintage pieces naturally carry evidence of their history, and I consider those little signs of age part of what makes an old piece so special. ð
ð SIZE
Approximately 7 inches in diameter.
Please see the measurement photograph for additional scale.
âĻ DISPLAY IDEAS
Beautiful for:
Antique or Nippon collections
Victorian-inspired interiors
Grandmillennial decor
Romantic vanity styling
Jewelry or pearl display
Curio or china cabinet display
Cottage and traditional interiors
A special gift for an antique porcelain collector
ð°ïļ A NOTE ABOUT NIPPON
“Nippon” is the Japanese name for Japan. Porcelain exported from Japan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries was commonly marked Nippon, and these pieces are now collected for their elaborate hand-painted decoration, gilding and distinctive raised embellishment.
This one combines so many of the details I love finding in antique porcelain — cobalt blue, gold, hand painting, raised decoration and swans — all in one wonderfully romantic little bowl. ðĶĒð
âĻ
Etsy Attributes
Type: Decorative Bowl / Cabinet Bowl
Primary material: Porcelain
Secondary materials: Gold decoration / enamel decoration
Color: Cobalt Blue, Gold, Cream, Yellow, Green
Style: Victorian / Romantic / Traditional / Grandmillennial
Era: Late 19th to Early 20th Century
Approximate date: 1891–1921
Country of origin: Japan
Handmade: Yes / Hand Painted
Vintage: Yes — Antique
Diameter: Approx. 7 inches
