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Preliminary identification

Studio Nova 'Chromatic Yellow' Dinnerware, c.1987

Photo reference

2 uploaded photos

Overview

A striking example of 1980s minimalist design, this 'Chromatic Yellow' plate features a crisp white porcelain body framed by a bold, sun-drenched yellow rim. Produced under Mikasa's fashion-forward Studio Nova label, it perfectly captures the era's shift toward functional art for the everyday home.

Story

Launched in 1987, this line was Mikasa's 'cool younger sibling,' designed to bring high-concept Post-Modern style into the average kitchen. It was a bold bet that home cooks wanted dinnerware as vibrant as their neon windbreakers.

Maker / Origin

Studio Nova was the experimental arm of Mikasa, founded by George Aratani—a visionary who also founded Kenwood Electronics. While Mikasa focused on traditional elegance, Studio Nova pushed boundaries with avant-garde shapes and pop-art colors that defined the 80s and 90s aesthetic.

Condition & Value

The plate shows significant 'stacking' or utensil scratches in the center, which is common for high-gloss 80s porcelain. These surface marks reduce the value by about 30% compared to a 'mint' collector's piece.

Full Research

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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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

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

$1,280

SOLD

Dealer archive

· Mar 2024

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

$1,450

SOLD

Marketplace sale

· Jan 2024

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

$980

SOLD

Estate platform

· Oct 2023

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

$1,150

SOLD

Auction result

· Aug 2023

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.

$1,375

SOLD