Helen's Lithophanes

Posted on Friday, 9 May 2008, at 8:14:13 GMT
by Helen [IP = 81.77.105.239 ] :

Hello Holly, You sound to have some lovely lithophanes. I am not an Appraiser and it would be wrong of me to give an opinion on the value of your lithophanes. Have you tried your local Auction House? They are often very helpful. This site is simply intended for people who love and appreciate the intrinsic beauty of these rare items rather than their monetary value so I'm not really able to be too helpful for you I'm afraid but good luck and best wishes anyway.

Posted on Thursday, 8 May 2008, at 19:50:44 GMT
by holly [IP = 205.188.117.201 ] :

l recently found 5 lithophanes at my boyfriend's house, and am interested in getting them appraised. the woodsman is marked PPM29 and 5 1/4 x 4 7/16. the soldier and child are marked with what looks like 149 with the 9 angled at 10;00. they're 6 5/8 x5 3/4. a seaside one is marked1336 with the bottom curve of a j attached to the 6, it's 3 7/16 x 2 5/16. and two that l call "Annabelle" one asleep marked PM879 and one awake markedPPM904, both are 3 x 3 5/8. any info is good, thanks,

Posted on Saturday, 3 May 2008, at 10:29:11 GMT
by Helen [IP = 84.71.250.182 ] :

Hello Pete, I'm afraid that these are not particularly rare as many were produced in the late forties, fifties and sixties for export. Most have the common Geisha lithophane. On the other hand you might be lucky enough to have a rare lithophane in the cup which would make the item particularly interesting. I know that some have been found with lithophanes of Niagara Falls for example. Best wishes, Helen

Posted on Friday, 2 May 2008, at 20:56:48 GMT
by Pete Williams [IP = 76.211.89.85 ] :

Helen I recently came by a souviner demi tesse for "The Ozarks" featuring scenes from the Branson, MO area on the saucer and a Dogwood branch & bloom on the cup. This souviner has a beautiful lithophane in the cup. What can you tell me about it? Is it a rarity to have an American souviner with a Japaneese lithophane in the cup?

Posted on Thursday, 3 April 2008, at 14:48:23 GMT
by Helen [IP = 90.242.73.214 ] :

Hello Glyn, Unity is one of the many makers marks found on these Japanese items. So many of these sets were made hurriedly in difficult Post War times for factories so you need be neither surprised nor dismayed by the quality of the workmanship on the sets. You may find a wonderful and rare lithophane as easily on a seemingly poor quality set as any other. Enjoy your Lithopanes. All the best, Helen

Posted on Wednesday, 2 April 2008, at 12:17:20 GMT
by glyn [IP = 86.165.97.239 ] :

hi helen, my wife has got a teaset with a lithophane geisha, the only marks we can find are unity on the plates, can you tell me anything about them, they don't look brilliant quality, thanks, glyn

Posted on Thursday, 21 February 2008, at 21:38:12 GMT
by Helen [IP = 84.70.119.93 ] :

Hello Pamala, I certainly don't think that you have yard sale fodder as it sounds to me as if you have some nice orange (possibly Orange Swirl or Orange Cloud?) Dragonware. These sets are growing in popularity so I would hold on to it especially if you have a full set. They are also delightful in their own right and the value is not just how much the set can be sold for but for its intrinsic beauty. I am sure that they will increase in value so enjoy! All best wishes, Helen

Posted on Thursday, 21 February 2008, at 19:11:33 GMT
by Pamala [IP = 69.234.26.73 ] :

Helen nice space. See if you can make my decision for me or not.. found a box of dragonwear its a tea set orange dragonwithgreen tack gold middel burnd orange underbellie the teapot has the 3 dementional dragon with the bead work and gold head orange unerbellie and brown topside but the cups have your lithophane I IDed it as the wide-eyed geisha. Now looking at it in thelight light the quility to me is not very good the under mark on the pot is an orange NP over a simple crown and there is no made in ____ mark on any of it. do I just have yard sale fodder or something to have insurerd??? any oppinon is would be wonderfull.

Posted on Monday, 4 February 2008, at 16:15:55 GMT
by Helen [IP = 62.136.203.47 ] :

Hello Maria, What a lucky find. If you would like to email a picture for the site that would be great. Without a marking it's very difficult to tell if it's Japanese or not. It's unusual to have the bottom of a lithophane mug marked for obvious reasons. I haven't actually seen any non Geisha Japanese lithophanes but that doesn't mean they don't exist. German would be my first guess but there were English manufacturers too.

Posted on Monday, 4 February 2008, at 1:01:51 GMT
by Maria [IP = 68.78.140.117 ] :

Hello! I found the cutest mug at an outdoor fair. It's got monkeys on it, and it says "Monkey see, Monkey do, I like milk, hou'bout you? Of course there's a monkey lithopane on the bottom. I'm not sure...do you think it could be Japanese? How would I tell?

Posted on Tuesday, 8 January 2008, at 7:17:11 GMT
by Helen [IP = 90.240.97.242 ] :

Hi Dee, The repair would lower the value,but Nudes are very collectable. If the lithophane itself is undamaged I think it would sell, but not at such a high price (unless you have two or more bidders lacking that particular lithophane in their collection!). I would hesitate to suggest a starting price as I am not an expert, just a keen amateur. If it was me I wouldn't be too worried starting off quite low as I think there would be interest but that couldn't be guaranteed of course. Best wishes.

Posted on Tuesday, 8 January 2008, at 1:11:56 GMT
by Dee [IP = 67.79.222.239 ] :

What a lovely site you have! I just came across a lithopane of the two nudes with one arm up, a set with three demitasse, a small oblong teapot, and one sucrier. One of the teacups has been repaired. How rare is this design? I am thinking of offering the repaired teacup because maybe a collector would want it for the example of the nudes, even though the value of the cup itself would not be much. What do you think I should ask?

Posted on Saturday, 5 January 2008, at 14:59:16 GMT
by Helen [IP = 90.242.171.66 ] :

Hello Janice, Your set sounds to be lovely and complete, which is a real bonus. If it's Coralene it will be more valuable, usually, than the Moriage. Take a close look to see if the decoration is made with glass. Good luck and very best wishes.

Posted on Saturday, 5 January 2008, at 14:55:46 GMT
by Helen [IP = 90.242.171.66 ] :

Hello Kirsty, What a lovely present for your Grandmother to think of giving you as an engagement present. You ask which styles to look for to extend your collection and that's a tricky one to answer. If the lithophane is more easily found I tend to hang around to see if I can get that lithophane in a cup with a design I particularly like. On the other hand, I snap up rarer ones on the grounds that I might not spot another the same for many a long day. Whatever you do, enjoy your lithophanes, not just for their investment value but also for their aesthetic beauty and you can't go wrong!

Posted on Friday, 4 January 2008, at 5:07:21 GMT
by JANICE LONGMIRE [IP = 121.217.48.214 ] :

Hi helen..I have a dragonware set- that has thousands of risen pin sized specks...(coffee set with pot jug sugar holder and 6 cups and saucers) Dragon has fine line ,grey border around it. the risen inside of the dragon and the background is all gold gilt.Very shiny all gold set. Japan is on the bottom of each piece.Can you assist with information please...Has no Linthaphane image...Could it be CORALENE? Your assistance greatly appreciated,Regards, Janice.

Posted on Saturday, 29 December 2007, at 16:30:59 GMT
by Kirsty [IP = 80.42.80.112 ] :

Hi Helen, Thank you for such an informative website, it has made my day. My Grandmother gave me a full tea service as an engagement present a few years ago, and since moving to a new house and my husband making me a display cabinet I decided it was time to find out a little bit about the set. From looking at the pictures on your website, it has a white background with a dragon in gold or gilt? And the geisha is 'pensive'. In good condition. I would like to extend my collection, can you tell me which styles to look for as I would like to spend some of my husbands hard earned cash!! Thanks again, Kirsty.

Posted on Sunday, 25 November 2007, at 8:13:22 GMT
by Helen [IP = 81.77.9.86 ] :

This reply is from Nick, whose collection is shown on this site and is more knowledgeable than I am in this area though neither of us profess to be experts. Paul von Hindenburg had a great German army career stretching back to the Austro Prussian War of 1866, fought the French in 1870, became a member of the General Staff in 1878, and retired in 1911. He was responsible for building the modern German army. Perhaps the mug celebrated his retirement using unprinted blanks of lithophanes left from George and Mary's Coronation of the same year? Hindenburg was later recalled in 1914 for the Great War and when when the Kaiser sacked General Erich von Falkenhayn as Chief of the General Staff in 1916, Hindenburg was appointed in his place. Nick also suggested another source of information and I will pursue that for you. If I get a reply I will of course let you know.

Posted on Saturday, 24 November 2007, at 3:00:48 GMT
by Ian Ingham [IP = 207.200.116.195 ] :

Hi Helen, I have recently come across an unusual pair of lithophane cups. The lithophanes are of King George V and Queen Mary. Typical 1911 coronation items. The unusual part is the front. Each has a picture of Field Marshall Von Hindenburg surrounded by guns, cannons and the German flag. From his title and uniform it must be post 1916. What possible event could have warranted issuing mugs with George V and Mary in the base and Von Hindenburg on the front? I hope that you can help.

Posted on Tuesday, 6 November 2007, at 12:18:26 GMT
by Diana [IP = 80.42.23.24 ] :

Hello Helen I have bought a moriage dragonware teaset with grey dragon - it is pearly minty green with a bit of gilding on the rims and handles.The set comprises teapot, covered milk jug,covered sugar bowl, 3 cups & 6 saucers. the cups have a common Geisha inside and the other pieces have an orange rabbit underneath. I am guessing that it the most common one but I would jusy like to be sure! It is just so pretty anyway.

Posted on Tuesday, 25 September 2007, at 17:48:34 GMT
by Nick Bowyer [IP = 212.139.85.4 ] :

Hello. I have just found your site which is very interesting. I see that most of your correspondents are interested in japanese ware but my interest is in royal and famous people esp. when produced in their own era. Thus I am not really interested in Shakespeare and Robbie Burns versions ( although I do have both of them together with John Bright and Charles Dickens). I have 27 at the moment of which three are unidentified by me. You do not mention it in your explanations, but I am sure you know that lithophanes are also to be found on the base of match holders and spill holders. Best wishes for your site

Posted on Sunday, 23 September 2007, at 19:43:45 GMT
by Doug Sutherland [IP = 82.40.122.152 ] :

I have Edward VII lithophane on the bottom of a little cup/mug dated 1902 Interesting Site

Posted on Thursday, 6 September 2007, at 2:57:49 GMT
by Cora Gordon [IP = 24.174.239.188 ] :

Regarding the ultra rare lithophanes, are they as valuable in sake cups as they are in tea cups?

Posted on Tuesday, 26 June 2007, at 13:47:06 GMT
by Helen [IP = 84.65.160.213 ] :

Hi Beverley, "Lucky" was a well known maker of Dragonware and Lithophane Dragonware and quite a lot were made and exported in the forties and fifties. You are lucky (no pun intended) to have a full and complete set. Gilt and enamel is of better quality than the gilt and paint so you have done well. I would check to see how clear the Geisha Lithophane is, I think you mean the Simple Flower Geisha? Keep your set and enjoy. It will increase in value, I'm sure.

Posted on Tuesday, 12 June 2007, at 9:21:12 GMT
by Beverley Iron [IP = 81.132.184.149 ] :

I have a lithophane teaset with simple geisha girl, comprising of 6 cups, 6 saucers, 6 tea plates, tea pot, milk jug and another lidded pot. The marking on the bottom of the teapot is 'Lucky'. The design is the gold or gilt and enamel dragonware, with the white background and a dragon. in excellent condition. Can you give me anymore information on this make. The tea cups are a bowl shape.

Posted on Thursday, 7 June 2007, at 16:10:31 GMT
by Helen [IP = 84.66.64.220 ] :

Hello Jen, It's lovely that you have a complete set and you are right that it would have been made prior to 1960. The grey Moriage or slipware Dragonware is probably the most likely version to come across and very often has a simple version of the Common Geisha in the cups. Desireable to new Dragonware collectors as it's usually the first one we see and collect but probably not as valuable as some, I'm afraid. Don't let that put you off enjoying it and if it was owned and loved by your grandmother hold on to it, it's your family history and therefore priceless.

Posted on Thursday, 7 June 2007, at 16:00:01 GMT
by Jen [IP = 80.43.4.172 ] :

have a coffee set similar to the one you show as slip clay dragonware. i have 6 cups, 6 saucers, a cream/milk jug, a sugar bowl with lid and a coffee pot...all in vgc. what would this be worth if i wanted to sell/insure, it belonged to my paternal grandmother who died in 1960. Mine is grey and gold, it does not have a geisha in the bottom of the cups....the base says fairylite....can you tell me more about it please? thanks, Jen

Posted on Thursday, 12 April 2007, at 21:04:33 GMT
by Helen [IP = 84.64.153.25 ] :

Hello Andrea, I'm sure that you have a Dragonware set. Dragonware does not always have lithophanes in the bottom of the cups. If there are Dragons in slip clay or Moriage decoration and they are of Japanese origin you can call your set Dragonware. Fairylite is a well recognised producer and the lustre finish inside the cups a lovely Dragonware variation. Absolutely not a copy, there to enjoyed. Very best wishes, Helen

Posted on Thursday, 12 April 2007, at 17:38:08 GMT
by andrea [IP = 86.31.65.250 ] :

Hi After searching for an answer to my question I stumbled across your website so really hope you can help. I was given a coffee set years ago by an aunt and was always lead to believe it was drogonware. However after reading your website now I am not so sure. It definately has the raised dragonware design however no signs of any geishas when held up to the light. It is stamped "Fairylite foreign" on the bottom and each cup has a gold "lustre" type coating inside. Any ideas as to what I have here, is it just a copy ? thank you Andrea

Posted on Saturday, 7 April 2007, at 10:57:34 GMT
by Helen [IP = 90.242.17.156 ] :

Hello Lois, The nudes are very popular and you are lucky to have them. I have seen them command prices on Ebay of between thirty and one hundred G.B. Pounds for a cup and saucer so it might be as well to consider insurance. The glass bead decoration is known as Coralene though it sounds from your description of raised grey dragons that you might have a Moriage or Slip Clay set. I would suggest that you enjoy your lovely acquisitions and happy Lithophane hunting!

Posted on Monday, 2 April 2007, at 2:35:22 GMT
by lois [IP = 4.238.31.159 ] :

Hi! I have two teacups/saucers.I bought them in 1960. They have the "posing nude" lithophane in the cup bottoms. They are similar to the glass bead dragonware pic on your site. The dragons are not just painted on---they are raised. The color is Dark grey, fading into pale grey. Do you think they have enough value to include them in household insurance?? Or my will?? Thanks for any advice you can give. lois

Posted on Thursday, 29 March 2007, at 7:47:40 GMT
by Helen [IP = 81.79.139.207 ] :

Hello Ted, How nice that you want to buy your wife this gift. You don't say whether you need a large part of the set or whether you just need one cup to replace one that you have broken. You will want to have the decoration on the sets matched as well. The Pensive Geisha is often found on "Swirl" or " Cloud" decoration Dragonware, often in the larger teacups. Your best bet, I think, is to try Ebay. Good luck and Good Hunting.

Posted on Tuesday, 27 March 2007, at 23:12:59 GMT
by TED [IP = 70.144.54.48 ] :

HI, WHERE CAN I FIND REPLACEMENT FOR MY WIFE'S TEA SET WITH THE PENSIVE GEISHA GIRL PICTURE IN THE CUP ? THANKS TED

Posted on Tuesday, 31 October 2006, at 17:45:55 GMT
by Helen [IP = 81.77.191.183 ] :

Hello Belinda, great to hear from you. I'd love to find another site with lots more information about Japanese Lithopanes but, sadly, I haven't found one. I haven't seen any reproductions either. They are not easy to reproduce and not so highly priced to make the investment worthwhile for forgers...yet! If you have some Lithophanes that aren't on my site, why not send a photograph. I'd love to show them, with credit to you of course.

Posted on Tuesday, 31 October 2006, at 0:03:42 GMT
by Belinda [IP = 63.96.72.29 ] :

Hi!, Where can I find out more information on the different types of Japaneese lithopanes on the web? Can alot of these be reproduced-not be originals? How can u tell? I have 11 and I'd like to identify them all. I have used ur site to identify some-thanks! Bel

Posted on Sunday, 22 October 2006, at 1:42:30 GMT
by Helen [IP = 81.76.125.186 ] :

Hi Rusty, Not very many different Dragons but lots of different colours in the cups themselves. There is Moriage Dragonware where the Dragon is raised from the surface and made of clay, like a 3D effect. There is also Gilt and enamel Dragonware where the Dragon is painted gold with enamel details (often the tongue or the back). Another type is Coralene, where the Dragon is made up of thousands of tiny glass beads. Occasionally the Dragons are half Dragons with the head on one side of the cup/saucer and the tail on the other. Value varies a great deal but I've seen the best of them go on Ebay in the U.S. for well over $500. At the same time, I have seen others go for $30 or less when the people selling them don't know what they are and so no one spots them. Good luck.

Posted on Saturday, 21 October 2006, at 14:11:27 GMT
by rusty [IP = 84.71.3.194 ] :

i was looking thru some web pgs and i dont see my dragon on any of the cups, i see there are a lot of diff dragons, any help please thanks

Posted on Saturday, 21 October 2006, at 14:09:29 GMT
by Helen [IP = 84.71.89.118 ] :

Hi Marnie, Sounds like you have a lovely gilt and enamel Dragonware demi-tasse set. How nice that you have the gold paper stickers as mostly these get lost over time which is why so many sets are referred to as unmarked, which, originally, they were not. Almost all of these Dragonware pieces were made between the 1940?s and the 1960?s in Japan. Many potteries were involved. Kutani made lovely quality sets. Hakusan China also made superlative Lithophanes and there are many others, including E&O China, SPP, and Wales China. They were popular, made for export at a time when Japan was recovering from the devastation of war, made hurriedly and with lots of imperfections, black firing spots etc. If you have a perfect set (examine it carefully) you will be very lucky. They are fragile and were easily damaged. A full, intact set is increasingly rare. Lucky you. I would be very wary of using them as they are too delicate to be robust and look so fabulous on display. Best wishes.

Posted on Saturday, 21 October 2006, at 14:08:26 GMT
by Marnie [IP = 84.71.89.118 ] :

Hi Helen, I was given a set of what I thought was Expresso Coffee Cups with the Coffee pot and creamer and sugar bowl for a wedding present nearly 40 years ago. I didn?t unpack the gifts so I never knew the manufacturer name from the Box and as there is no stamp underneath except for a gold paper sticker which is still there and says simply ?JAPAN?. I is a burnt orange colour with 24ct gold dragons on the entire set. I have never seen another one in the whole 40 years. How popular were they, and do you know who the manufacturer would have been? I have never used them as they looked so delicate.

Posted on Saturday, 14 October 2006, at 10:29:44 GMT
by Helen [IP = 84.71.100.29 ] :

Hello Linda. Your question certainly made me think. I have seen literally hundreds of the Common Geisha but only one of the Left Facing Geisha. Is she the same person? Possibly, although the expression around her lips is different and there is much greater kimono exposure. Some varying quality Geishas are clearly the same Lithophane. Generally, the more prestigious the company, the higher quality the teaset and the higher quality the Lithophane. That is, a Noritake or Kutani set will be more expensive and the Lithophane will be of a higher quality. I suspect that moulds might have been sold on to lesser companies when they lost their sharpness and may be why you get such variation, particularly in the Sad Geishas and the Garland Geishas. The Left Facing Geisha and the best of the Common Geishas are equally sharp and of good quality. They may be the same girl but I don't think they are the same mould - hence the Lithophane is different.

Posted on Saturday, 14 October 2006, at 10:19:10 GMT
by Linda [IP = 84.71.100.29 ] :

Helen, I was so excited to find your website from an inquiry I made on E-bay! I didn't realize that there were so many different geishas, I checked and I have 10, one that you didn't show so I attached it. I do have a question for you, what is the distinguishing trait between the Common Geisha and the Left Facing Geisha? I really couldn't distinguish. Thanx again for your web site! Linda