Bowl with 5 point star on bottom

Can anyone give information about this bowl with a 5 point star on the bottom? Any thoughts about the manufacturer, time-frame would be appreciated. We see no other identifying marks.

 

Hi,
I have had the star on other Made in Japan pieces.
greg

 

Are you talking about "Nippon era" Japanese porcelain, Greg?

 

This might be a clue.
At Gotheborg, on the Noritake (Morimura Bros.) page, scroll down to mark 1045 (blue and white Phoenix Bird Pitcher)...The star shape is a firing support mark for the base to rest on during firing to avoid sagging and deformation.
http://gotheborg.com/marks/noritake.shtml

I was going to head down the RS Prussia path, until Greg mentioned Japan.

 

I have some early 1900's Nippon (not Morimura Bros.) that have the same kind of "star," but the arms of the star are not flattened like this one looks to be. Not sure if that makes a difference.

 

Thank you for the helpful information! It sounds like this is probably Japanese. Could this be from before 1891 since there is no other labeling on it saying "Nippon"?

 

Hi,
I have some on Nippon era pieces plus I had a huge Bonsai planter with the star on the bottom from the 40s.
greg

 

IIRC, the "star" is also found on Continental pieces. It was included in the bottom mold design to give support to the middle of the piece while firing. I'm not sure it is indicative of any particular country of origin, let alone manufacturer

Whoops, just saw that lauragarnet also noted the reason for it.

 

Thanks. It seems like we will never really know when this was made or by whom. It was handed down in a German family so I wonder if it has German or European origin.

Thank you. So by c