Preliminary identification
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Overview
This is a charming Japanese porcelain lustreware dish featuring a single loop handle, hand-painted stylized butterflies, and a beautiful iridescent glaze. Likely designed as a tea strainer stand, a small porringer, or a personal nut dish, it captures the playful, geometric spirit of the Art Deco movement exported from Japan to Western markets.
Story
During the 1930s, Japanese potteries crafted whimsical, shimmering wares to bring affordable joy to Western homes navigating the Great Depression. This little dish, with its stylized butterflies, was a bright spot of daily luxury.
Maker / Origin
The mark 'R.M.P.' represents one of the numerous export distributors or decorating workshops operating in Nagoya or Yokohama during the interwar period. These workshops bought blank porcelain from major kilns and decorated them by hand, specializing in the iridescent lustre glazes that became a global sensation.
Condition & Value
The dish is in good vintage condition with no visible cracks or major chips. There is minor, expected wear to the gold gilding on the rim and handle, which is very common for export porcelain of this age. Maintaining the original lustre glaze without heavy scratching preserves its modest value.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.