Afternoon Tea Stand Appraisal

Vintage Japanese Fine China 3-Tier Serving Stand

This item is a decorative and functional three-tier dessert stand constructed from repurposed Japanese fine china plates. The piece features three graduated plates connected by a central black metal rod spindle with a loop handle at the top for portability. The plates are made of white porcelain decorated with a delicate floral motif, featuring pink roses, green leaves, and black scroll-like branches. The edges are finished with a classic gold gilt scalloped border with small relief patterns. The top tier is a shallow bowl shape, while the lower two tiers are flat dessert or salad plates. This construction style is indicative of the mid-20th century, likely 1950s-1970s, where traditional Japanese tea sets were often adapted into tiered servers. The condition appears to be good with no obvious chips or cracks visible on the glaze surface, though there is typical light wear to the gold gilding on the edges and potential light surface scratching from cleaning. The metal hardware appears to be a modern or replacement matte black finish, providing a stark contrast to the dainty floral porcelain. The craftsmanship reflects typical Japanese exports of the era, balancing mass-production techniques with refined decorative elements.