Circa 1911–1921 Hand-Painted Nippon Porcelain Powder Box – Morimura Brothers

**Hand-Painted Nippon Porcelain Powder Box
Morimura Brothers Studio • Circa 1911–1921 • Pristine Condition**
This exquisite, museum-caliber porcelain powder box represents the very best of the Nippon era—Japan’s golden age of hand-painted porcelain artistry. Created between 1911 and 1921 by the Morimura Brothers, the firm that would later become Noritake, this piece combines impeccable craftsmanship with the romantic, floral aesthetic that defined high-end vanity and dresser ware of the early 20th century.
A Rare Large-Format Powder Box
Unlike the smaller trinket boxes commonly encountered, this example is a generous, display-worthy size with a deeply domed lid that creates a sculptural silhouette. The proportions alone set it apart: it has presence, elegance, and the visual drama associated with luxury personal items from the Edwardian period.
Exceptional Hand Painting — True Artist Work
The surface is expertly shaded in soft celadon, olive, and warm ivory, creating an ethereal background for the wild rose motif. The floral work is stunning:
•Petals are shaded from cream to rose pink with subtle lavender undertones.
•Leaf work is layered with multiple greens, each stroke intentional and feathered for depth.
•Fine black outlining gives crisp definition to each blossom.
•Raised Roman-gold enamel highlights the centers, catching light and adding dimension.
This level of artistry is a hallmark of Morimura’s early output, when pieces were still individually painted by trained artists rather than factory-decorated.
Impeccable, Pristine Condition
Pieces of Nippon dresser ware often show paint loss, lid rubs, gilding wear, or interior staining. This example is exceptionally well preserved:
•No paint wear
•No utensil marks or discoloration
•No cracks, chips, crazing, or surface abrasions
•Interior remains bright, clean, and glossy
•Gilding details are completely intact
The preservation of this piece is remarkable — it appears to have been cherished, protected, and rarely handled.
Authentic Morimura Brothers Mark
The underside bears the classic green wreath-and-jar hallmark, reading:
Hand Painted
Nippon
Japan
This mark links the piece directly to the Morimura Brothers exporting house and dates production firmly to the 1911–1921 period, before the transition to the “Japan” mark mandated by U.S. import rules.
A Collector’s-Level Example of Nippon Porcelain
Hand-painted Nippon items continue to rise in desirability, and large, pristine vanity pieces are among the most sought-after forms. This jar exemplifies everything collectors love:
•A romantic floral subject
•Soft, atmospheric shading
•Prestige maker
•Large size
•Raised enamel details
•Museum-quality condition
This is not a common example — it is the type of piece retained by serious collectors and rarely found on the open market.
A Statement Piece for Home or Collection
Whether displayed on a dressing table, showcased in a china cabinet, or added to a curated collection of early Japanese porcelain, this powder box radiates refinement. It feels luxurious, elegant, and beautifully timeless.
Offered at: $99.95
About These Pieces
Vintage, authentic, and carefully selected for Sugar Maple Trading Company—always the good stuff.