Lovely Nippon Breakfast Set Decorated with Shamrocks. Includes Condensed Milk Container

Porcelain : By Maker Or Type : Japan : Japanese : Mij : Nut Cup : Clover : Condiment : Jelly Jar

 

In keeping with the Victorian obsession of 'a piece of china for every possible use' this 14 piece breakfast set includes a condensed milk container (5 1/2" tall), handled toast or master butter plate (7" diameter), 6 handled butter pats (3 1/2" diameter) and 6 small footed jelly or condiment dishes (2 1/2" diameter).

All are decorated with pale green and peach colored shamrocks, hand painted on an ivory band and embellished with much enameled beading and gilding. The small cups sit on 3 tiny feet and the butter pats feature little handles and are miniatures of the larger plate.

All pieces are chip and crack free and show various amounts of paint and gild wear. Several of the butter pats have suffered the most; I have shown the best and worst of them. The handles and lid finial of the container also show wear.

All pieces are stamped with Morimura Bros. purple stamp dating this nice set from 1890-1921.

This set was purchased from a lady who inherited it from a relative and knew little about the function of the pieces. She was especially curious about 'the pot with the hole in the bottom'. I was happy to be able to inform her that these were used by the fastidious Victorians to camouflage a can of milk or jar of jelly for use at the table. The hole allowed the container to be easily removed. She was amazed and relieved that the mystery was solved after many years of wondering.

Item ID: GM-001376