Pair of Meiji Period Covered Tea Bowls

Japanese export porcelain tea bowls, c. 1880.
 
Dimensions: Each approximately 4½" diameter x 2 ¼" high.
 
Decoration:
The cups are decorated with blue and white diaper border.
 
Below the border, the main body is blue with alternating roundels of red designs and gold karakusa vines. 
 
Beneath this is a blue and white petal band extending onto the foot.
 
The base has a Meiji period Kutani mark encircled by a narrow blue band.
 
The interior rim has an iron-red border highlighted with gilt floral designs. 
 
In the center is an underglaze blue floral medallion, encircled by narrow double blue lines.
The lids are similarly decorated and marked.
 
Meiji period (1868 – 1912) polychrome pieces like these were predominantly made for export. After a long hiatus and due to the interest in Japanese ceramics spurred by international exhibitions in the 1860’s and 1870’s, Japanese ceramics became fashionable in Europe as well as the United States and remained so throughout the 19th century. 
 
References:
Jahn, “Meiji Ceramics”.
P.L.J. Arts, “Japanese Porcelain”.
 
Condition: Minor losses to glaze and gilding; otherwise in excellent condition consistent with age and usage. Please examine the photos; they are part of the description.