Anyone have an idea about this tea set ??

[mart]

https://www.kovels.com/discussions/question/identify-tea-set-and-marking.html

Kind of slow here so thought I would throw this out for opinions !!  No makers mark,, just a  scratched in X on bottom !!  Import I am sure but from where ??  I an guessing either Japanese or Chinese !!  Any other ideas ??

[KC]

Import for sure.  It could be from anywhere.  So many places duplicated the "bamboo" handles and blue, white and gold theme.

[cogar]

It has been bugging me since I first looked at it so I uploaded the photo and brightened it up a bit.

And the 1st thing I noticed is they do not look to be simulated "bamboo" handles.

I agree that it is an import, but not a “cheapy” import. I’m thinking English because they loved their “blue on white” porcelain.

[mart]

Well,, the bottom is pretty clean so not very old !!  The reason I decided on Japanese or chinese import is because it looked like  an attempt to appear to be cloisonne !!  Only on closer look did I see that it was not !!  I know they both are very adept at cloisonne but this looked like a less than quality imitation !!  The set appears to be well done but less than I would expect on the decoration !!  If English I would expect better !!  Its always possible that the decoration was done other than Japan or China !!  And there is no decorators mark !!  Thats unusual for either country !!  This evidently had a stick on label !!

[Ipcress]

Bohemian or a smaller Dresden factory, in my opinion.

Incised crosses were used by loads of factories. Sometimes their mark, sometimes to indicate a fault / seconds.

[mart]

Ahhh,, didn`t think about it being a "second" !!  Thanks Ipcress !! 

Cogar,, I am not sure about the handles but they didn`t say they were different !!

[cogar]

Cogar,, I am not sure about the handles but they didn`t say they were different !!

Mart, my comment about not being "simulated bamboo handles" was prompted by KC's comment.

Anyway, the handles did get my attention because they did look to me to be kinda odd, different and delicate from what one normally sees on tea services of that quality.

 

[Ipcress]

If you google Pirkenhammer tea set, you’ll see identical handles. ( the Kovels set isn’t Pirkenhammer, just stating for comparison)

I’m convinced it’s Central Europe. The porcelain paste is different to ours.

It’s quite well made but appears cheaper, I think, because the gilding has rubbed off

[KC]

Cogar, These days the handles are usually referred to as "twig handles" to cover all natural resemblances.  This is to simulate the previously-n-heavily used real wood/bamboo handles (that wouldn't conduct heat).

These handles were especially popular on men's shaving mugs and mustache cups!

Such as these: 
https://www.rubylane.com/item/365154-RL-965/French-Limoges-Large-Coffee-Tea-Pot#.V64i0i6xAsg.pinterest
https://www.rubylane.com/item/1563782-780/Limoges-Covered-Bon-Bon-Jar-Underplate

You will find that almost every porcelain maker in the 1700's and early 1900's have made handles and finials in this style.

I totally agree with ipcress that the gilding has rubbed off over time.

Could be seconds...but really can't tell quality with holding it.  Just doesn't have the "feel" of a higher end piece from these pictures.

[cogar]

Cogar, These days the handles are usually referred to as "twig handles" to cover all natural resemblances.

DUH, …… USUALLY “to cover all natural resemblances”, …….. huh?

KC, are you actually serious …… or intentionally being facetious?

I do not see anything “woody” or ”twiggy” about the primary decoration on that porcelain tea set ...... so why would a designer put "twig handles" on them?

It does have a “5 petal” flower in said decoration but I do not think it is a “woody” fruit tree flower.

And “yes”, I agree, the handle of the item in your 1st cited link above was intended to mimic a length of bamboo, ……..or a per se “twig handle” ,