Question:
I have a group of 4 large and 6 small tumblers in a cute Quimper pattern, and all are stamped "Hand Painted" on the bases. The font used on the base stamp looks very much like one I have seen used on Noritake and other Japan ware. So I suspect these are Japanese but can't say for sure. The painting is somewhat crude but still nice, bright colors. A man and woman and some greenery and trailing vines.
Anyone have experience with this sort of "faux Quimper" in terms of value? I know a lot of companies in France made Quimper style patterns - I doubt my cups are French but who knows.
TIA!
Michelle
Answer:
They look like Py or Ucago to me
Answer:
Michelle, I've been researching that type pottery for 3 years now. Do your pieces look old? Is there true crazing?
Take a look at why I've been searching. The pattern is very similar.
I hope someone comes along and definitely knows the pattern.
Answer:

Howdy folks - cariad - I don't know if they are one of those Japanese makers.... could be. I think they have a bit more weight and age to them than pieces I've seen from those Japan companies... I've seen mostly the copies of Czech pottery (i.e. bird pitchers) and the whimsical stuff like cookie jars.
elizdale - yup, yours sure look a lot like mine. The basic style and ALL the colors are identical. I just see a few variations in edges, shape of her apron, things like that (it's like playing those kids visual games in the funny papers - try to tell what things in the two pictures are not exactly alike!) They do have underglaze gen-u-ine old crazing. They do look and feel older to me - the large ones wiegh about 12 oz each. They look well done for such mass produced hand painted wares, with only the occasional smudge.
So.... since they are apparently in the Great Mysteries of mid-20th Century China category, I have gone ahead and stuck the large tumblers in my mall showcase for $10/each, all four for $36.00. I'll put them in my on-line shop later this month if they don't sell. And if they do sell, I'll stick the little ones in there too!
And of course I'll keep obsessively searching the 'net for them too.
Answer:
Well, I found it, purely by accident! The maker is Nasco, Japan, so cariad you were pretty close!
I was browsing another shop at the antique mall I sell out of and saw a pitcher and tumbler set, which tumblers looked very much like mine. They were marked on the bottom with that same 'Hand Painted' font and Nasco.
So I did more 'net searching and found several items with our pattern elizdale that are marked with the Nasco name as well. I don't know why mine aren't - a couple of them have a faint marking under the 'hand painted' but it can't be made out. Nasco made several pottery and porcelain pattern knock-offs, including Indian Tree and Blue Willow, so a Quimper knock-off seems to fit. I also found other Nasco tumblers of the same shape with different decorations.
Another pottery mystery solved. Oh, I also saw the tumbler/pitcher sets refered to as 'stoneware' in a couple of places, and my set may very well be stoneware.
Answer:
Well, thank you very much. I need to do some more research.
Can you see that my "Hand Painted" mark is different than yours? I'm wondering here....
I like my bowl so much that it's a keeper if I don't sell it at the high price that I've got it marked.
Answer:
Originally Posted by elizdale Well, thank you very much. I need to do some more research.
Can you see that my "Hand Painted" mark is different than yours? I'm wondering here....
I like my bowl so much that it's a keeper if I don't sell it at the high price that I've got it marked. Hi elizdale I do see the different stamps on our pieces. I still think that both yours and mine are from Nasco. I looked through tons of Nasco patterns the other night, on ebay, replacements and the 'net, and one thing I noticed in the heavy pottery (or stoneware?) pieces was recurring themes of those angled striped detailing on rims, handles and edges, and also the same stylization of the sort of viney leaves.
Those similarities, plus a couple of pieces which were the exact same pattern as ours, and were marked Nasco (which of course I can't find now!), and the fact that Nasco also made other knock-offs of "famous" patterns, were enough for me!
I wish I could find the one eBay listing - it was a closed listing of two little square plates or dishes which rested in a woven basket type holder. The seller said the bases were marked Nasco. They were the same Quimper/PDutch couple exactly Now of course I can't find that listing, or remember what keywords I used to find it initially.