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Shaping and Decorative Techniques of Old Noritake

Shaping Techniques of Old Noritake

Front view: Japanese old fine china. Old Noritake.
This exquisite and captivating piece showcases polychrome and Moriage decoration, featuring delicate white flowers tinged with soft pink and leaves outlined in green. The upper and lower portions are finished in a smoky green, while the center glows with a radiant brightness, as though illuminated by light. The elegantly small mouth of the base, complemented by graceful handles on both sides, adds to its charm and timeless appeal.

Moriage

Moriage is a technique where clay is built up on the
surface of porcelain to create a three-dimensional decoration. It is one of the most well-known techniques of Old Noritake and is also referred to as
"Moriage" in Western countries. There are various techniques within Moriage.

Icchin-Mori

This technique uses a tool called "Icchin" (a brush tool), which is still used in pottery today. Icchin is believed to be named after the Japanese Edo-period painter Icchinsai (a pen name of Kusumi Morikage). Originally, the tool was used to paint the dye lines in Kyo-yuzen and Kaga-yuzen textiles. By replacing the dye with slip (a mixture of clay and water), it allows for delicate expressions on the surface of porcelain. Due to its ability to create beautiful decoration, works decorated with this technique are highly valued.

Front view: Japanese old fine china. Old Noritake. Antique. Punch bowl set
Landscape design
polychrome and gold

Kin-Mori

This technique involves painting on bisque-fired porcelain, then applying a slip to create dots or patterns. The piece is then
fired again, after which gold slip is applied using a brush or a tool, making
the design appear as if it is raised in gold, creating a luxurious effect.

Kin-Ten-Mori (Beading)

In this method, dots are raised on bisque-fired porcelain using an Icchin tool and then fired. Gold is carefully applied to each dot, requiring great precision and patience. This technique is incredibly fine and results in a beautiful decoration.

Aqua Beading

Using a light blue slip to create beaded designs, this technique gives the appearance of water bubbles, and it is highly valued for its rarity and aesthetic appeal.

Enamel Mori (Jewel)

his technique is often used in combination with gold decoration. Enamel is raised in dots using a syringe-like tool over gold decoration, creating a gem-like beauty, which is why it is referred to as "Jewel."

Front view: Japanese antique fine china, Old Noritake.
Vase with handles
Landscape design
Polychrome and while relief (Jasper ware style)

Wedgwood Style

 A signature method of the British company Wedgwood involves using clay to create cameo-like patterns that are affixed to the porcelain. Old Noritake pieces appear similar to Wedgwood’s jasperware, but instead of using molds, they are raised using tools such as Icchin, bamboo spatulas, or brushes. This reflects the influence of Wedgwood.

Other Moriage Techniques Other techniques include "Slip Moriage," "Spiderweb Moriage," "Lace Moriage," "Galle-style Moriage," and more, all of which employ a variety of methods.

Apart from Moriage, Old Noritake porcelain also features unique shaping techniques:

Furashi, Kin-Furashi(Etching)

This technique uses etching, which was referred to as “Furashi" in the Morimura group. Areas to remain intact are covered with coal tar, and the porcelain is then immersed in hydrofluoric acid solution. Areas without coal tar are corroded, losing their gloss and developing indentations. After coloring or gilding, the matte finish contrasts with the glossy areas covered with coal tar. Due to its distinctive texture, this technique is considered a hallmark of Old Noritake.

Front view: Japanese antique fine china. Old Noritake.
Vase
Rose design
Polychrome, Tapestry(cloth inlay)

[Tapestry (FabricFinish)

After the shaping of soft, unbaked porcelain, coarse fabrics like linen or fine fabrics like silk are applied to the surface. Upon firing, the fabric burns away, leaving only the fabric pattern. Painting over this creates a texture similar to oil painting on canvas, giving the piece a unique look. This technique is rare and has high collectible value.

Front view: Japanese antique fine china, Old Noritake.
Humidor with handles
Raccoon design
Molded shape, polychrome

Mold (Relief Shapingwith Plaster Mold)

Plaster molds are used to create the shape of the porcelain, and figures or animals are applied on top using clay kneaded with oil. A master model is made from this, and then a working mold is created from plaster or other materials. The mold is filled with slip to create the unbaked porcelain piece, which is then fired at high temperatures (800–1100°C). After painting, the three-dimensional relief is revealed. This labor-intensive method is rare and highly prized.

Decorative Techniques of Old Noritake

Noritake porcelain decoration combines traditional Japanese artistry with flexible adoption of European techniques, resulting in rich designs that are highly regarded.

Hand Painting

The words "Hand Paint" are often marked on the back of Old Noritake pieces (but not always). The decoration is generally hand-painted. Many of the artists were former painters from Japanese feudal domains who were dismissed after the Meiji Restoration. These painters possessed strong technical skills. In the Taisho and Showa periods, well-known Japanese Western-style artists also painted for Noritake. However, because Noritake was an industrial product, the artists' signatures were usually absent. Nevertheless, some pieces may feature hidden signatures, revealing the artist's pride.

Bokashi (Gradation)

Bokashi is a characteristic painting technique often used in Old Noritake pieces. It is a traditional Japanese painting method not commonly found in European ceramics.

Dami

Derived from the Japanese “Dami-e” (The term "Dami-e" refers to paintings created using gold, silver, and vivid primary colors, particularly those on sliding doors and screens, such as the fusuma and byōbu, which were prominent during the Momoyama period, especially in the works of the Kanō school), this technique involves covering the porcelain's surface with patterns or base colors. There are gold Dami and cobalt Dami variations.

Front view: Japanese old fine china. Old Noritake. Antique.Vase with handles
Queen Louise portraite design
polychrome and gold, moriage.

Marble (Spray Blown Gradation – Marble Effect)

In this technique, several colors are sprayed to create a marble-like effect, after which the piece is painted. This method, known as "Marble," is popular in America.

Urushi-Maki

To achieve an even coating of underglaze color, Urushi(Japanese lacquer) is first applied with a brush, followed by meticulous smoothing with a tampon. Powdered pigments are then sprinkled over the surface, creating a beautiful, deep, colored base.

Back view: Japanese old fine china. Old Noritake.
Footed cookie jar with Chrysanthemum design
cobalt blue and gold relief

Cobalt (Lapis Lazuli)

This color, slightly deeper and richer than conventional cobalt blue, was created using cobalt oxide. It was developed by the Meissen porcelain factory in Germany for use in pottery. Cobalt from the French Sèvres porcelain factory, known as "The Blue of Kings," was especially famous and beloved by European royalty.

Gold Liquid (Water Gold

Gold is dissolved into liquid form using aqua regia (a mixture of concentrated hydrochloric and nitric acids) and is then used as a pigment for gilding porcelain.

Front view The Old Noritake EB-1124 Vase, showcasing its elegant Art Deco style with a flower basket design and a shimmering polychrome luster finish.

Lustreware

Lustreware is often used in Old Noritake's Art Deco pieces. It has a pearl-like shine and was extremely popular with emerging European women in the early 20th century. Lustreware was used in Islamic pottery from the 9th to 14th centuries but fell out of use until it was revived as an Art Deco decoration method. The lustre used here is created by dissolving metals or precious metals in aqua regia, adding balsam, and further processing with rosin to create a workable glaze.

Transfer Printing

While Old Noritake primarily used hand painting, Japanese artists could not paint portraits of European royalty or clergy. Thus, they adopted transfer paper, already in use in Europe. The transfer paper is printed with ceramic colors and applied to the porcelain surface, transferring the design. As a result, similar designs can be found on porcelain throughout Europe.

Portraits

This method involves transferring portraits of popular figures like queens and clergy onto porcelain. Famous portraits of figures such as Queen Marie Louise of Prussia and Madame Récamier were often used.

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