Japan Marked with Crossed Laurel leaves
From Mystic Tea Room
Here we have a bit of a mystery set. In the first place, although the insides are marked with transfers that copy the Cup of Knowledge sets made in England, the six-petal lotus foot, blue-pearl luster-ware glaze, and reticulated (pierced) saucer would informa any collector that this is a Japanese cup, even if it were not also given a back stamp maker's mark consisting of crossed Laurel leaves,and the words "Made in Japan."
Unexpectedly, the reticulated or pierced work on the saucer, which is quite characteristic of fancy Japanese gift wares made for export, takes the form of repeated Spades, as if from a playing card deck. This would seem to imply that the set consisted of four cups and saucers, one for each of the suits of Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds, and Spade. It s not unikely that the colour of glaze varied with the suits.
I await further finds from this series -- and any information that might reveal the name of the maker.
