I bought this cup and saucer because I'm an avid tea drinker and I like a lot of Asian design motifs.  The white porcelain is very thin and shows translucency when held up to light.  The pattern is very slightly embossed into the surface and is almost certianly transfer stamped.  The handle of the cup is shaped to resemble a curved piece of bamboo.

Flaws: The blue pattern on both the cup and saucer show some noticible wear.  The glaze in the cup has a number of little pockmarks as if there were bubbles in either the glaze or the porcelain.  The bottom base of the cup has a small chip missing.

 For reference I've included a picture of a plate that is apparently a reproduction of the pattern on the cup and saucer (came from the same yardsale) - the ceramic is heavier and it's marked "Made in Japan" on the bottom.

I became curious about the true nature of the cup when I Googled and found out about what the "Nippon" mark means.  I wasn't able to find the mark represented in any of the online guides.   I know too that there are a lot of reproductions; regardless I'll probably keep on using this cup for drinking. 

Nippon bowl.

This is a huge set of china that I inherited from my mother.  It is 18 place settings, each with dinner plate, salad plate, bread and butter plate, fruit bowl, and cup and saucer.  There is also a 16" oval platter, a round vege bowl, and a round covered vege bowl.  It is in beautiful condition, with only the slightest bit of wear (if you look REAL closely!) on some of the silver rim.  (It is white, with a scalloped silver edge.)  I want to sell the whole thing, and don't have a clue what to ask. Replacements.com offered less than $200. for the whole lot, (with me paying the cost of shipping), yet they are selling on their website just SOME of the set for around $1700.!  Please help!  I don't want to make a killing, but I also don't want to give it away!  (My mother would roll over in her grave!)  Thank you.

The plate has a small multi-flower image in the center. There is a 5" diameter ring of gold around that.The entire rim of the plate is decorated in a pattern that is gold also. That edge is 1 to 1-1/2 inches wide. On the back of the plate it says "warranteed 22K-Gold".

There is also a mark that says The Paden City Pottery   "Made in USA"  Part of the mark I can't make out. There is what appears to be L 41 under the mark.

Beautifully preserved teapot.  Has a total of 4 japanese geisha girls on it, all in different positions.  Hand painted, white with red handle, spout, and lid.  The red has gold designs all over it, as well as the entire pot.  Very classical looking, but no author, date, or "made in" anywhere on the pot.

Koken Barber Chair:  Not sure of date or origin, appears to be in good condition but missing head rest.  Ash trays are located at front of arm rests.