Pair Nippon Candle Holders

Porcelain : Nippon

 

This example appears to be a set of fake or fantasy candle holders, since this mold shape may not have originally been used by a Japanese producer during the Nippon era. The decorative design is a new production, not a reproduction of one that is old. This type of fake Nippon porcelain is a product originating from wholesale and retail merchants who specialize in reproduction and fakes. They do not sell old, authentic Nippon, though they may include the word 'antiques' in their business name.

Although very pretty, these pieces look heavy and a bit too 'thick' for genuine Nippon porcelain. Note very new appearance of the gold decoration, too, and how perfectly free of any visual indication these were ever used. A truly old set of candlesticks would surely have seen some use if made in the late 1800's to very early 1900's. The Nippon era ended a long, long time ago, nearly 100 years, so is it realistic to find items genuinely made during the Nippon era that, like this set, exhibits absolutely no sign of wear or patina - at all? These look 'like new' because they are new.

Some dealers and collectors are able to tell the difference between authentic Nippon pieces and newer fakes or reproductions (made from molds taken from the originals). They can do this just be the feel of the porcelain or just the the 'look' of the decoration on a piece. But, for most people, especially new dealers and collectors, it can be very difficult to know for sure. And so, they tend to rely on a maker's mark.

It helps to know that the hourglass-type figure seen in the center of this particular mark was never used in any authentic mark from the Nippon era. Also, the wreath portion of the mark is upside down from the orientation one should expect to find for wreaths that do appear in authentic marks.

Search this shop for other non-authentic Nippon marked pieces to review additional information about item characteristics to look for, as well to see examples of other spurious marks which include the word, 'Nippon.'

Item ID: 2007RP00043