Monday, August 22, 2011

TEACUP TUESDAY'S "JAPANESE LUSTRE"

Lustre Love  is the  appreciation and humble  " LOVE" of lusterware" to which, I am smitten, especially in the china department.

Royal Sealy, is a vintage  porcelain manufacturer known for their highly collectible teasets ( 1940-1950)....   Like the glimmer of the silkworms, Art Deco styled cups and saucers were  made in Japan for export.  The designs  are history and became the most popular collecible of the era. I'm tickled pink to be able to share one of my favorite Japanese inspired cup and saucer with you.


I must admit that  living in Japan( five years)  certainly does gives a person, a lustered appreciation of cultural folk arts and the 
brilliancy of beauty, sheen and gloss ... which is exactly what lustreware is ....  a glaze, a varnish or an enamel applied to porcelain in a thin layer and giving it a smooth, glistening surface. It's quite dazzling!!!


  I was first attracted to the octangular  beauty of this porcelain  by it's opalescent pink coloration.... and  ...   bought it on sight.  My first impression  was look on the bottom and see where it was made... " JAPAN " !!!!!! Yes .. exclamation mark ... not impressed , but upon  research , I realized that  occupied Japan items, Nippon  and general Japanese porcelain  pieces are really state of the art artifacts , even without the ' made in England " stamp.


I quess, a Honey Tea  would  honor this cup, but I have never sipped, even a drop from it's ethereal being ... Somehow, I feel that it is either, too fragile or too elusive, like a butterfly... It is a work of art. !!!!

 The   honeycomb body is rare,  if not unique in the teacup and  saucer world. The raised mold of this inner cup is enhanced by the pearlized pink/lavender  finish .  A lot of imagination went into creating this  delicate  tea sipper.  




 If you look deep enough into the essence of the cup, it might remind you of the Nellie Moser Clemetis petals  that  shimmers like fairy gossamer  in the sunlight....Beautiful !!!! ... or you might just  find a quiet moment to reflect... We had a tornado touch down last month  so, I find these  reflective moments of nature with my teatime, a calming therapy !!!! .


Goodness, I must admit to a fetish for the 3-footed, gold gilded beauties that balance, soooooo ....  daintily on their  base.  Infact, I smirk at the  simple audacity of this saucy little set, to display itself so boldly, yet, it's also so much like a Grecian urn, sitting silently in a corner, waiting for  admiration ...  " will someone please notice me " ...  Often times, I feel like Disney,  sweeping the inanimated objects into animation ...  I quess I shan't worry until I  start talking to the cups and saucers  ... That's the problem ... I do ( Ha Ha) !!!

Japanese artists  have focus and precision when it comes to balancing beauty and nature. An opalescent finish, combined with  a hand-painted metallic gold gild, is why  lustreware and fine china are still sought out by collectors.


I wanted you to  take a peek at the fancy gilted medallian and scalloped edges of the saucer.  Don't you think it looks regal ?  Lustreware is not everyones cup of tea, but it's sheer wonderlust to me. ( Twinkle Twinkle )  Quite simply ... It's pretty!!!!

If you do feel the urge to collect something  a little different  ... Please .... pause for a moment to just admire the creative aspects of the Japanese teasets... It  really is fine porcelain art,  fit for a King or Queen ... Oops ... Emperor or Empress!!!!

Thank you all for your kind visits and know that I'm so excited to visit your Teacup Tuesday Blogs.
Would you like to try a crumpet  with your tea today ?

32 comments:

parTea lady said...

That is a wonderful teacup. The shape of the handle and dainty little feet are beautiful. The color and gilt pattern is great too. I haven't added a lustreware cup to my collection yet, but I'll be on the hunt for one now after seeing your lovely cup.

Zaa said...

I so glad you're inspired ...Thanks for the sweet visit... Hugs

Antiques And Teacups said...

3 footed teacups are a favorite of mine and yours is beautiful! The shape is different. Luster is gorgeous, isn't it! Thanks so much for sharing, and for your visit!
Ruth

Terri said...

Zaa, your post today is brilliant! I am a fan of lusterware so I fit right in! Your cup today is indeed a treasure with it's unusual shape and the gorgeous color accented with gold. It is substantial yet dainty with it's pretty feet!
Thank you so much for joining in T.T. today, I have loved coming to visit.
Hugs,
Terri

highheeledlife said...

Beautiful tea cup! I love the originality of it being 3 footed. Happy Tea Party Tuesday..HHL

Unknown said...

This is a stunning cuup! Who cares where it was made as long as you like it. Anyone that has this cup should cherrish it. Absolutely gorgious!

Zaa said...

Thanks for you kind visit Ruth... Glad I'm not the only one with a 3 footed fetish ( ha ha) I had a delightful time at your blog today ...Hugs

Zaa said...

Thanks Terri ...It such a pleasure to chat with you ...of course I always love the tutorials on your blog and am trying my hand at your marvellous paper shoe..I'm truly enjoying my Teatime Tuesdays ...Hugs

Zaa said...

Thanks ....A High Heeled Life is the only way to go ( Ha ha) ... So glad that you stopped over from your whimsical tea house journey ...It was a delightful read... Please do come again... XOXOX

Zaa said...

Thanks cmoh ...Your absolutely right ...That's what is so wonderful about teacups and saucers... They just seem to fit into your heart and personality... You love them all for special reasons...Hope to visit with you again for tea....Hugs

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hello,
I am coming over Sandi's Tea time. your link doesn't work right because it has an writing error. But anyway, I found you. This pink cup is really amazing. Yes, I would love to have a crumpet with my tea today. May I invite you, too.
Best greetigns, Johanna

Zaa said...

Thank you Johanna...I fixed the link so it works now... I appreciate this assistance, my friend. So glad that took the time to find me and to chat again for another wonderful Teatime...I accept your kind offer to visit...I'll be there before the the tea is poured...HUGS

Wanda Lee said...

Oh my dearest Zaa!

What fabulously pretty photos of your lovely Japanese tea time teacup and tea vignette!

~ Everything is so exceptionally delightful, inviting and pretty as always!

Happy Tuesday Tea Time In Blogland!

Please always feel most welcome to visit me for this my 98th, 'Tuesday Tea For Two' and also for the '69th, 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday'.~ YOU ARE ALWAYS MOST WELCOME TO PARTAKE. ~ Thanks for visiting and your kind comment also!

Hugs, Wanda Lee

Zaa said...

Thank You Wanda Lee... You visit is so kindly appreciated... and most welcomed. I'm so glad that I had a chance to view your delightful blog and wish you a speedy recovery....Blessings

Maria Andrade said...

You're right, Zaa, your pink lustre tea cup is a true work of art... I'd never seen one in this shape and the three little feet and handle add a lot to its charm.
I've got some lustreware cups, the usual made in England type, some beautiful ones, too, but not so exquisite...
I've just joined the followers of your beautiful and interesting blog.
Congratulations!
Cheers

Zaa said...

Welcome Marie.. I'm so glad you stopped in for a visit... I just love all types of china and the ones on your blog were exquisite and very hard to find...Lucky you for spotting them . I'd love to see your lustreware pieces... Please do visit The grand lady again for teatime...Hugs

Jocelyn said...

What a gorgeous tea cup! Beautiful pictures!

Jocelyn @
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Zaa said...

Thank You for your kind visit Jocelyn ... Please do come again...Hugs

Trish said...

Hello Zaa,
thanks for joining LACE today.
Your Japanese cup is very lovely!
What a pretty colour and shape!
You are blessed to have lived in Japan for 5 years and sampled the culture of that interesting country.
My hubby and I find much to admire in the Japanese love of simplicity and beauty, and the great care they take in creating even mundane objects.
And I understand you hestitating to use your delicate cup - I have one that is similar inside to yours and I'm afraid to put anything too hot in it too, lol!
Have a lovely day.
blessings..Trish

Marilyn Miller said...

thanks for visiting me today at Delights of the Heart. I love your very unusual teacup and also love the black one you showed a few posts back. Fairies will certainly dance in my glass house sometime during the holidays.

Martha's Favorites said...

Hi: I love the tea cup. Lusterware is amazing. I have a few cups, but yours is one of the most beautiful I have even seen. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Blessings, Martha

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hello Zaa,
I am such a fan of lusterware and your teacup is simply darling! I love its little feet and the colour is so pretty. I love peeking into its iridescent bowl! It reminds me fairies and blowing bubbles as a child again. Love it! Thank you for sharing this with Tea Time. Lovely and interesting post.

Blessings,
Sandi

Lady Linda said...

Such a pretty dainty little cup and saucer Zaa. Glad I have found your blog. I'll be back. I haven't jumped into the Teacup Tuesday as I have enough keeping up with Teacup Thursday! LOL I love them all and it's so fun to connect with the tea ladies.
Lady Linda

Zaa said...

Ha Ha Linda...I know these Teacup days are addictive ... I'm so glad that you stopped by ... Be sure to come back now ...Hugs

Fanypap said...

It is Perfect!!! Romantic,fine, beautiful!!!The tea in this cup, will be more delicious!!!Kisses from Greece.

Zaa said...

Thank You for the kisses from Greece I shall drink them from my cup... Please do come again ...Big Hugs to you too.

Barbara Neubeck said...

Hi Zaa,
Beautiful teacup and saucer. The three little feet are so cute and the pale pink colour is lovely.
God Bless
Barb from Australia

Zaa said...

Thank you Barb... Please do visit again from beautiful Australia... xoxox

victorian parlor II said...

Yes indeed, I would love a crumpet with my tea:). The cup and saucer are lovely and your photo of the flower is gorgeous!

Blessings,

Kim

Sandi said...

Hi sweetie,
I thought I would come visit you in your world of the grand lady. The cup and saucer are absolutely divine. Your tea will taste just perfect sipped from this beauty. Hugs darling girl. Sandi x

Zaa said...

Thanks Kim... Next week it be scones .. so do drop by again for a teatime chat... Hugs

Zaa said...

OMG Sandi ... I'm so glad that you came for tea... now I know where you are in this blog world and we can visit and discuss your yummy cupcakes recipes ... Please do come again ... HUGS