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This vintage teacup and saucer set is a beautiful example of Japanese moriage dragonware, a decorating technique in which liquid slip clay is applied by hand in raised, three-dimensional beadwork and then gilded — here forming a coiling dragon with gold scales, jade-green highlights, and rust-red flame accents against white porcelain.
Moriage dragonware was produced by numerous small Japanese ceramics studios from the early 1900s through the mid-20th century, largely for export to Western markets, with a surge in production after WWII when “Made in Japan” pieces became popular souvenirs and gift items. Each dragon was hand-built and hand-painted, so no two pieces are ever identical — the raised scales, whiskers, and claws are all built up by hand rather than molded. Soon to be the nicest one in your collection.
