Offered here from the dougfinds collection of curated fashion, accessories, clothing, collectibles, and unique gifts is this charming set of four vintage demitasse cups and matching saucers produced in Occupied Japan for Crockery Importers of Newington, Connecticut.

Decorated with vibrant blue birds, colorful flowers, and a soft gray band around the rim, these petite espresso cups perfectly capture the cheerful hand-decorated style that made post-war Japanese export china so popular throughout the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Each design was hand-painted over faint factory guide transfers before being permanently sealed beneath a glossy clear glaze. Because the decorating was completed by skilled artisans, no two pieces are perfectly identical. Small variations in brushwork, paint thickness, and placement give each cup and saucer its own unique personality while preserving the character collectors appreciate.

One aspect that makes sets like this especially interesting is the evidence of their manufacture. During the Allied Occupation of Japan (1945-1952), factories worked under tremendous demand using limited resources. As a result, authentic examples frequently display subtle production characteristics that modern collectors actually expect to see.

This set includes a few of those original factory traits, including tiny kiln specks, a small smooth glaze bubble, and faint under-glaze kiln dust marks. These are original manufacturing characteristics—not chips, cracks, repairs, or later damage—and remain completely sealed beneath the factory glaze.

Whether displayed in a china cabinet, used for espresso service, or added to an Occupied Japan collection, this delightful set offers both historical charm and timeless decorative appeal.

Features

• Complete set of four demitasse cups and matching saucers
• Authentic Occupied Japan export china
• Imported by Crockery Importers, Newington, Connecticut
• Beautiful hand-painted bird and floral decoration
• Hand-decorated under a glossy protective glaze
• Wonderful post-war collectible
• Ideal for espresso service or display

Measurements

Cups

• Height: Approximately 2¼ inches
• Diameter: Approximately 2⅜ inches

Saucers

• Diameter: Approximately 4¼ inches

Please review all photographs carefully, as they are considered part of the description and provide the best representation of this item's condition.

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Collector Search Terms

Occupied Japan collectibles • Demitasse cup sets • Japanese export porcelain • Vintage espresso cups • Hand-painted china • Bird motif dinnerware • Cottagecore décor • Mid-century ceramics • Newington Connecticut imports