The following treasure is from the living estate of Ailene & Buddy Ford; noted dealers and lifelong collectors of exceptional antique & vintage heirlooms. xxxxxxxxxxx. The AEAA is exceptionally pleased to present this first of a large number of pre-1921, hand painted Nippon items. Our lot represents a gorgeous M-in-Wreath Morimura brothers Rare mottled ovoid matte finish Cherry blossoms vase. This stunning vase is quite unique especially with the lack of traditional gilded highlights. Our pre-1921 Nippon treasure stands 5 x 9.75 inches tall, weighing 1# 14 oz., and is in wonderful condition. xxxxxxxxxxx. In 1876, Ichizaemon Morimura VI and his brother Toyo founded Morimura Gumi at Ginza 4-chome, Tokyo. It was a trading company dedicated to exporting traditional Japanese products, as Ichizaemon Morimura VI had been a visionary and supporter of modernization for Japan. On March 10, Toyo sailed from Yokohama for America. In November, Toyo, Sato Momotaro and Date Chushichi established the retail store "Hinode Shokai" in a partnership at 6th Street, New York. Within the year Yutaka had opened a Morimura Bros. retail store in New York. From this earliest period, Morimura sought to adapt quality Japanese art and skilled craft to the needs, designs and market appeal of the American consumer. Morimura did not produce products during this period but exported the creations of others. In 1890, the McKinley Tariff Act was passed by Congress that required imports to the United States to be marked with their country of origin. Nippon was commonly used to identify Japan in part because it is a Japanese word for the country. Nippon signifies only the country of origin and implies no other information. Early Morimura imports would not have been marked, as would any other imports from Japan. From 1878 to 1884 the Morimura brothers operated a china decorating facility of their own, but not a pottery. In Noritake Collectibles, Lou Ann Donahue reports that from 1884 until 1890 Morimura Bros. brought together & utilized decorating factories all over Japan, and in 1891, the Morimura Bros. joined a number of these other Japanese firms, and began potting & selling hand painted Nippon porcelain for 30 years.

XA - P268 - Excellent ++ condition