Featured Modern Japanese Tea Caddies, Should I Bid for them?

I don't usually do this kind of post, but I've just fallen for a group of tea caddies in an upcoming auction, and would like some advice. There are 12 caddies on a display stand, they are about 12cms high, and they look like they were made in the heyday of producing "limited editions" of collectibles, back in the 1980's or so, maybe one issued per month for a year. I know that most such items have plummeted in value since then, especially plates, and are proving a headache for the younger generation who have just inherited them, but there is something about these which I really like, even though I don't have anywhere to put them. With just some Japanese writing underneath I assume they were made for a Japanese domestic market rather than the west. I can't find any others online. I am hoping someone will be able to read the writing and tell me something about them, and whether they think I should put my money where my heart is or resist adding to all the clutter in my house!

 

Are you sure they arent covered cups? They look lovely.Id buy them,though I too have no room because if I didnt Id regret it .I hate regret !

 

Resist. They are attractive, but not exemplary. The display case doesn't look of any particular quality, and with that many pieces, there's a better than average chance of damage in shipping. If you can't find them online, you won't be able to replace a damaged part, and shipping alone will be expensive.

If you're like me, most of the interest is in the acquisition: once you've got them, they just disappear into the pile.

Save your money and wait for something better, and smaller, to throw on the pile.

 

They're pretty, but they don't scream "Take my money, kthnxbye" to me. I'd resist their charms and wait for that oh-my-gosh moment.

 

They do look like the kind of cup which comes with a strainer for tea leaves. I will have a good look on the preiew day, if they have an airtight inner lid then they will be tea canisters, if not, I'm not sure. I have been looking around the house for a place to put them, haven't found it yet. I do regret items I didn't bid on when they go very cheap, but if they go higher than I would want to pay then I'm fine with that, even relieved.

 

For me it's not so much the acquisition as being able to handle the pieces and do some research. Then they do often go into a box or cupboard, but I do go through things from time to time and enjoy them again. I don't like the shelves but they do show them off to advantage. No shipping charges would be involved, just persuading my husband to drive across the city to pick them up. I will look at them on preview day and see if I can talk myself out of bidding, but it would only be a bid for a fraction of what the original collector would have paid. If someone else likes them more than me, then they weren't meant to be mine.

 

That's what they are, imo. Very attractive, but not an investment as such.
If you like them for decoration, and can get them cheap, go for it.

 

And I thought I was the only one...

EDIT: I especially enjoy the thrill of the hunt!

 

one of my most favourite quotes,,,,

"After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting.It is not logical, but it is often true."

Mr Spock .

 

Sorry they look like cheap tat to me. Even the signature in the base is printed. Sort of thing you get by collecting tokens from the mail on Sunday. Sorry

Edit. They've even got a copyright symbol on. Urg.

 

There are times when I've regretted missing a piece, but if the person who got it lets me handle it and look it over - that's enough, no more regrets.

 

Me too - Love finding then researching and even better if I sell at a profit (unless I love the item too much and add it to the pile - literally!)

 

I don't know that this helps but I believe these are like yours and the seller got $38 for a pair. They say hand-painted but I see evidence of printing.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/643323...how_sold_out_detail=1&ref=nla_listing_details

 

Quite often they will use a printed back ground then slap a teeny bit of paint on by hand just so they can call it hand painted.

 

Thank you for this, that pair were obviously produced by the same manufacturer at about the same time. I'm not sure if the size is the same, but they are obviously cups, not canisters. I will see the ones in the auction viewing day but unless they have an airtight inner lid they should be called cups too. That's a bit of a shame, because airtight ones could be used for herbs, etc as well as tea, and would make useful and pretty kitchen items and gifts. I wasn't expecting them to be hand painted masterpieces of craftsmanship, and they probably have a combination of printing with added hand painted details, but I stll think they look very pretty, well made, and maybe collectible one day. Since the whole dozen are currently standing at a bid of £10, there is some hope I might get them at a bargain price!

 

Yes, the "canisters" or cups are obviously mass produced so unlikely to be individually hand painted, but I will be able to check when I see them if there is much or any painting. I have seen some modern Limoges souvenir items labelled handpainted when all they have is some tiny touches of white on the buildings etc. I don't know if the Trades Description Act would have anything to say on the matter! The listing for the canisters doesn't claim them as handpainted, so I wasn't expecting them to be, although I think some details may have been added. I like the varied textures and backgrounds.

 

Oops sorry. Thought you wanted someone to talk you out of buying them. I tried my best. I apologise

 

Ha, thanks for trying! Actually I was very ambiguous, I think underneath I was seeking approval for adding more clutter to my home! But the discussion has been fruitful, I now think they are cups which wouldn't be as useful as canisters, and have seen examples of similar items. I realise now that, not being antiques, people on this antiques site were holding them to a higher standard than modern bits of china. I think they are probaby 1980's so not quite vintage, but I was wondering if they could become more desirable as they age; it's obvious that not everyone likes them, so maybe not. The cups/canisters question may be the clincher.
I am really grateful for people taking the time to comment on this, if I ask my husband's opinion it is invariably "Don't buy anything more!"

 

That is just how I feel! I usually buy job lots, and try to sell most of the items to at least make the money back, while keeping one or two little treasures which I can justify because they have then cost me nothing. I daydream about owning a barn with shelves all around the walls . . . and I'm learning so much all the time, life is never dull as long as there is an auction coming up.