Description
3 pieces, perhaps 3" (est) cigarette and matches holder (one has lid) and ashtray, burnt orange (reddish-brown) vivid floral on gold w deco-looking trim. beautiful pieces my great aunt left me. Markings on 'cups' resemble pitchfork w tail next to U w tail and 'tails' on either side of U-tail with A inside U. Markings on ashtray are illegible (foreign language) that I simply cannot decipher.
Re: Marking identification?
I hope I've written enough information for someone to give me an idea about these neato pieces...I'm way new at this...if anyone can point me in ANY direction about the markings, please do! Thanks so much!
Re: Marking identification?
The chinese and Japanese have exported millions and millions of similar works. I am unfamiliar with this mark, but there are literally thousands and researching is not worth it for this piece. This would have been a tourist type item circa the 40s-80s, made to look nice but very very common. Value is going to be under $10 per item.
Re: Marking identification?
you have a Japanese Kutani 1000 mum smoker's set....the mark is from the mid 20th C...probably around 1960....1000 mum pieces are collectible....I would sell the set for about $50-65
Re: Marking identification?
That correct - the mark is Japanese and it simply says "Kutani." Since its a modern form of writing "Kutani" it's safe to assume the pieces are not old. If you have the original box they came in, you'll be able to get the information on the company that made them or that marketed them. Some Chinese mass reproduced porcelain may also have this mark - check the marks on each piece- if they they are exactly the same, then it's mass produced reproduction ($1-$2 each) but if the marks are slightly different on each piece, then it's an authentic hand made pieces ($7-$50 each).
Since the items are not antique- you should enjoy using them and don't shed a tear if they break!
P.S.: Oh, I forget to mention that you placed the mark upside down! The 3 legs of the w-fork should face down and read the mark from right to left (the w-fork is the first sound "ku").
Best Regards,
Rilki