Question:
A lady I knew gave these to me about 10 yrs ago.
No clue where SHE got them.
No clue WHAT they are......maybe salt cellars? or what ever they were called to put salt at everyones place way back when?
They are about 3 3/4" long & about 2 1/4" wide. Gold is mostly intact. I have 6 total.
Any body with any info on what they are, or where I can find info appreciated.
Are they worth listing on eBay or should I do something else with them?
(Can you tell this stuff isn't in my normal line of selling? LOL!)
Thanks for the help!
Hazel
Answer:
Hazel, I'm no expert on these "open salt" items, but I have found this bit of info:
Marked with a green "M" indicates it was made by Morimura Brothers and also dates these items to pre 1941.
From the size I think it would be considered a Master Open Salt
Answer:
Hazel, I do not know the pattern name, but they are open salts. An oblong (about 12 inches) celery dish in the same shape would also have been made.
They may date 1921 or prior. In 1921 US Customs ruled that "Nippon" was no longer acceptable as a synonym for Japan and the Nippon era is usually considered 1891 to 1921.
I would think they are worth trying on eBay. Do a search on completed auctions "nippon open salt" there a number of sets and individual ones that have sold. I am alway looking for the ones that match my pattern. I have two celerys but no open salts. Too bad yours do not match.
Answer:
Thanks for the info!
I figured they were some kind of salt thing, but didn't know what to call them. The few times I've tried to look them up on ebay got me nothing, probably because I wasn't looking for the right thing!
Off to see if I can hunt up some info since I now know WHAT I'm looking at.
Hazel
Answer:
Hazel,
I don't think you'll find anymore info than CrossStitcher and Serenity gave you unless you're looking for design info.
I have six book on Nippon Porcelain by Joan F. Van Patten and none of those pieces have pattern names, nor does Replacements have pattern names.
The Morimura Brothers opened in NYC in 1876 and imported Japanese wares into this country until 1941.
The McKinley Tariff Act of 1890 stated that on and after March 1, 1921, that all articles had to be stamped, marked, labeled, etc., in English, or not be admitted entry. Many of the imports were labeled for entry during that time and after 1921, but other items have come into this country by other means without following the McKinley Tariff Act.
The salts look to have roses and moriage (refers to applied clay [slip] relief decorations. On Nippon items, this was usually done by 'slip trailing' or hand rolling and shaping the clay on an item). There could also be beading (generally a series of clay dots applied on Nippon porcelain, very often enameled over in gold). I can't really tell from the image if yours have the moriage or beading technique.
Answer:
Thanks!
I think it's moriage...the scroll designs in gold on both ends & the middle are a slightly raised design, with a raised dot underneath each scroll.
If I were to list them, should say moriage, or moriage & bead (because of the raised dot)?
And should I list them as made before 1941 or before 1921? I don't want to mislead anyone.
Final question...would you list as a set or indivually? I saw some of both on ebay.
Thanks again for all the info!
Answer:
Wow, look at all the good info you already have. Definitely date them 1891-1921. Nice!!
Answer:
Hazel, I should not have thrown the words moriage or beaded out there because I cannot see it well enough. I have seen others on eBay say "gold moriage," "gilded moriage" or "moriage gilt." If there were lots of beading around the edge and on in the design, I would say beaded, but since you say there is one raised dot, I don't think I would use beaded. Not much help am I.
When I think of moriage, I think of this auction. Notice how high the clay is off the original piece.
Then, see the beading on this auction. Notice the series of dots.
So, you just may say Nippon Open Salts with roses and gold trim. You may want to throw in Individual Salts, Salt Cellars, and/or Salt Dips too.
As far as the date is concerned, the author states that deciphering the marks is difficult at times and exact dating of the items is almost impossible. (I read some more.)
M-in-wreath = registered for the U.S. marker in 1911
Green M-in-wreath era = 1911 to 1921
Green M-in-wreath Made in Japan mark with Noritake dates after 1918.
From what I'm reading, I'd list them as between 1911 and 1918.
I'd try selling them one at the time. If that didn't work, then I'd try two at the time. And, if I wanted immediate results, I'd list all 6 at the same time with at least a $50 reserve.
Now, wishy-washy has left the building.
Answer:
THanks again for the help elizdale & everyone else!
Mortiage & beaded gone, dates between 1911-1918.
Now, I'll wait till tomorrows .10 sale & get them listed--hopefully!