Preliminary identification

Japanese Hand-Painted Silk Organza Table Set, Showa Era

Photo reference

5 uploaded photos

Overview

An exquisite, delicate Japanese luncheon set consisting of a hand-painted sheer silk organza table runner and matching individual round place mats or coasters. The set features a beautifully rendered, shimmering motif of apples, grapes, and leaves, complete with its original hand-painted paper presentation folder.

Story

Crafted during a period of intense global fascination with Japanese design, this set was made for export to western homes. The delicate, translucent silk was meant to float like mist across a polished mahogany table. The hand-written Japanese characters on the original paper folder's stamp connect it directly to a mid-century workshop.

Maker / Origin

While the specific workshop remains unidentified, this set is the product of Japan's highly skilled post-war cottage industries. Artisans specialized in hand-painting textiles for the export market, combining traditional Nihonga-style brushwork with Western-friendly domestic items.

Condition & Value

The silk pieces themselves appear to be in remarkably clean, bright condition with minimal staining or tearing, which is rare for such fragile textiles. However, the original paper presentation folder is heavily torn, creased, and damaged.

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Market Analysis

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.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.