Offered for purchase is a beautiful American Satsuma Enameled Floral Design Covered Box (Signed "Florence M. Plummer"/c.1917-1930's) hand-painted/decorated in the US or Canada as part of the Arts & Crafts movement. The item is in excellent condition… no cracks or repairs, although there are some surface scratches, minor fleabites on the lid rim, general crazing and minor staining as is typical of American Satsuma, and wear from age and use. Please keep in mind that this item is not new and therefore may have minor wear or missing decoration - I attempt to identify major issues with the item, if any, but please look at the photos carefully. The box is approximately 5.25 inches in diameter (approximately 5 inches square exclusive of the feet), 3 inches tall including the lid, and is marked as shown in the pictures.

The design for this item is by Katherine Bertram and may be found in the February 1917 issue of Keramic Studio Magazine. A photo of the page showing the design is included in this listing. Keramic Studio Magazine was a monthly publication for the amateur porcelain/china decorator which provided designs, detailed instructions on porcelain/china decorating, as well as articles and photographs of competitions and displays between various china decorating studios and clubs. The magazine was first published in May 1899 and continued into the late-1920’s; it then became Design Magazine, which addressed a wider range of designs than china decorating and craft work, and continued publication into the 1930’s.

China Decorating: In the late 1880's through the 1940's, a very popular amateur hobby or craft was in vogue known as "china decorating". The items used for decorating originated as porcelain blanks (white porcelain) often manufactured in Europe (France, Bavaria, Austro-Hungarian Empire) and imported into the US and Canada for women and men to decorate as part of this craft. In addition, the Ceramic Art Company, Lenox Belleek and Willets Belleek companies from New Jersey also sold blank porcelain for china decorators.

American Satsuma: During World War I and prior to World War II, there was a limited supply of porcelain from Europe for the North American china decorators. Porcelain and pottery blanks from Japan were more readily available and so were utilized by the china decorators during that time. As the pottery from Japan was heavy with a crackle or crazed finish, it also was susceptible to staining. Keramic Studio Magazine often had designs and instructions specifically for American Satsuma to assist the amateur artists on how to handle the pottery best. Most American Satsuma decorations are heavily enameled, and combined with the crazing of the pottery, result in some stunning Arts & Crafts hand-painted items.