How can I tell if my Japanese pottery is antique?

To tell if your Japanese pottery is antique, look for markings, which usually appear on the bottoms of pieces. If you see the word "Nippon," your piece was likely produced between 1891 and 1921, making it an antique. Pieces marked with the words "made in occupied Japan" originated between 1945 and 1952 and are vintage, based on their age. A "made in Japan" marking may indicate a vintage or contemporary piece. If you don't see any of these markings, consult trusted online resources to get a rough idea of when your pottery was produced. Any piece that dates back 100 years or more is antique. Should you encounter difficulty with the dating process, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Japanese pottery.

Japanese Buttons Antiques

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Japanese Fine Antique Sewing Tansu, Jam Packed with Old Buttons, Thread, Fabrics

Located in South Burlington, VT

Provenance: from a Japanese second generation family who are antique tansu specialists from Yamagata

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood

Japanese Fine Antique Sewing Tansu, Jam Packed with Old Buttons, Thread, Fabrics

H 20.5 in W 9 in D 9 in

Elizabeth Locke Smoky Quartz Yellow Gold Earrings

By Elizabeth Locke

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

crystals, miniature paintings or antique Japanese porcelain buttons.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Quartz, 18k Gold

Elizabeth Locke Smoky Quartz Yellow Gold Earrings

W 0.89 in L 0.8 in

Elizabeth Locke Onyx Intaglio Yellow Gold Pendant with Onyx Beads Necklace

By Elizabeth Locke

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

crystals, miniature paintings or antique Japanese porcelain buttons.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Onyx, Yellow Gold

Elizabeth Locke Onyx Intaglio Yellow Gold Pendant with Onyx Beads Necklace

W 1.4 in L 9.5 in

Elizabeth Locke Venetian Green Glass Intaglio Earrings

By Elizabeth Locke

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

crystals, miniature paintings or antique Japanese porcelain buttons.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings

Materials

18k Gold

Elizabeth Locke Venetian Green Glass Intaglio Earrings

W 0.8 in L 0.83 in

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Questions About Japanese Buttons Antiques

How can I tell if my Japanese pottery is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024
To tell if your Japanese pottery is antique, look for markings, which usually appear on the bottoms of pieces. If you see the word "Nippon," your piece was likely produced between 1891 and 1921, making it an antique. Pieces marked with the words "made in occupied Japan" originated between 1945 and 1952 and are vintage, based on their age. A "made in Japan" marking may indicate a vintage or contemporary piece. If you don't see any of these markings, consult trusted online resources to get a rough idea of when your pottery was produced. Any piece that dates back 100 years or more is antique. Should you encounter difficulty with the dating process, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Japanese pottery.