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By JAY MOORE Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 23, 2008

The bottoms of my 15-piece tea set are marked in blue letters "Hand Painted" with a sunburst below and the word "Nippon." In addition, there is a hand-painted mark in gold: "Ella, Sept. 1917."

The set is hand-painted with flowers. I would like to know the value and history of Nippon.

C.R.

Tampa

The word Nippon means Japan and was used to mark porcelain and other products beginning about 1865 until 1921, when the United States began enforcing the McKinley Tariff act. The act requires imports to be marked in English.

Experts relate the rising sun mark to the firm Nippon Toki Kaisha, best known for producing Noritake porcelain imported by the Morimura Brothers of New York City. However, Noritake was marked with a wreath enclosing an "M."

Your coffee set consisting of 15 pieces would retail for around $200. The "Ella, Sept. 1917" mark probably was added before it was presented as a gift.

We have been told that our piece is a Dutch Delft cat figurine that dates from the 18{+t}{+h} century. Standing about 7 inches tall, it is in good condition with a few chips and some missing glaze. What is the value?

B.J.

Richmond

Delft is a catchall term for much of the tin-glazed pottery that has been in production since the 16{+t}{+h} century. It actually was made in several countries, including Holland, England, Italy and Spain.

Much of the signature-color blue-and-white Delft we see today was made in Holland during the late 19{+t}{+h} century or later. It is still imported, and tourists bring it home by the box load, especially large chargers.

I think this polychrome Delft cat figurine could have been made in England during the mid-18{+t}{+h} century. It may have been one of a pair. It would retail for around $1,500, and you do not need a litter box.

Have a question about antiques? E-mail a complete description with a clear, high-resolution digital image in .jpg format to baylife @tampatrib.com. Include a name, address and daytime phone number. Regular mail may be sent with clear photographs (not comp

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