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 next of a large number of pre-1921, hand painted Nippon items. Our lot represents a gorgeous M-in-Wreath Morimura brothers Grecian water vase, finished in a rich Ivory & Royal blue ground, with dual handles & spectacular gilded accents. The 2 scenic medallions show varying woods & lakes with the classic Morimura Bros. sunsets. There is also wonderful hand beading and heavy enamel Fleur de lis with a virgin ivory interior. This is an exceptional ca. 1900 example, carrying the proper M-in-Wreath base stamp, AND IT IS IN SPECTACULAR CONDITION! Our Nippon treasure stands 5 x 10 inches tall, weighing 2# 2 oz. 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 - P87 - Excellent+ condition