Design for a Teacup
1880â1910
Medium
tableware designs
Classification
tableware designs
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1985-14-22
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant *Design for a Teac* from Noritake, bridging Japan and New York, dates to the dynamic period of 1880–1910. Produced as part of tableware designs in the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection, it exemplifies the artistry of early modern ceramics drafting—likely intricate patterns or prototypes for porcelain production. Noritake, a pioneering Japanese firm, specialized in fine china that blended traditional craftsmanship with Western appeal, making these designs blueprints for everyday luxury. Historically, this piece reflects Japan's Meiji-era export boom, when artisans adapted...