QUESTION: What is the difference between Noritake Nippon and non-Noritake Nippon?

Throughout the Nippon era of porcelain production and decoration in Japan (1891 - 1921) there were numerous manufacturers, both large and small. Not all of these companies were related to what would later become known as the Noritake Company. Pieces with the two marks found most often today, and those most prolifically manufactured at the time, were pieces with the "M-in-Wreath" mark and the "Maple Leaf" mark. Today, in Japan, these pieces are referred to as Early Noritake. With just a couple of exceptions, most pieces found with other marks were not made by predecessors of the Noritake Company.

QUESTION: What is moriage?

Moriage is the raised "slipware" decoration found on many pieces of Hand Painted Nippon. Not to be confused with "beading" which is typically done with enamel or gold, moriage is in higher relief and often forms decorative embellishments like leaves, flowers and birds.

QUESTION:Are decals ever used or is all Nippon "hand painted"?

Most Nippon pieces are painted by hand. Just some of the exceptions include decals used on cobalt portrait pieces, several series that include pictures of dogs, and Native American Indian portraits.

QUESTION:What is meant by "molded-in-relief" or "blown out" Nippon?

Unlike "moriage" which is applied to the surface of a Nippon item, molded-in-relief items are raised in areas as a result of the way their molds were crafted. The interior of a molded piece is "blown out" rather than a flat surface.

QUESTION: Why is coralene considered Nippon when the marks don't include the word "Nippon"?

Coralene is considered to be Nippon because the process invented to make coralene beading was patented in Japan in 1909, at the peak of Nippon porcelain production.