Kutani Geisha Lithophane Porcelain Tea Set

A Kutani 'Geisha Girl' lithophane porcelain tea set, circa…
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A Kutani 'Geisha Girl' lithophane porcelain tea set, circa 1950s, maker's stamp of Haysai, the egg shell porcelain service comprising teapot, creamer, covered sugar bowl and twelve cups with associated saucers, all decorated in a refined grisaille palette picked out in gilt, the base of each cup featuring the portrait bust of a geisha in low relief, visible when held up to the light, backstamps underside, height 14.5 cm, width 21.5 cm, (teapot)

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  • Grisaille -
    Decorative painting in monochrome, usually shades of grey, olive green or buff, painted on wood, plaster, ceramic or stone surfaces to imitate marble figural sculpture or relief ornament.


    Grisaille, from the French "gris", or grey (colour) is a painting technique in which a monochrome image is created using only shades of gray, black and white, usually created by using a gray underpainting or a limited colour palette. It is often used to create the illusion of sculpture or relief on a flat surface, and was commonly used during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

    The technique of grisaille has been used in decorative arts for centuries. It was commonly used in the Renaissance and Baroque periods in Europe to create the illusion of sculptural relief on flat surfaces such as walls, ceilings, and furniture. This technique allowed artists to create the illusion of depth and dimensionality without the use of colour.

    During the Rococo period, grisaille was often used in the production of ceramics and porcelain to create finely detailed designs on a white or light-colored surface.

    In the 19th century, grisaille continued to be used in decorative arts, particularly in the production of ceramics, both Western and Oriental.

  • Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.

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