Noritake Expression Alhambra Cereal/Soup Bowl and Plate

This fine china ensemble features pieces from the Noritake 'Expression' line in the 'Alhambra' pattern (number 7044). The bowl exhibits a high-gloss white ceramic body with a distinctive mid-century aesthetic. It is characterized by a dramatic, wide horizontal band of gradient ochre or 'golden harvest' brown that fades from a deep espresso tone at a thin bottom border to a lighter mustard yellow at the top. Below the colored band, the ceramic is embossed with a subtle, tonal scroll and geometric relief pattern. The accompanying plate features an ornate, circular gilded pattern consisting of stylized scrolled volutes and fleur-de-lis motifs in a bright yellow-gold finish. The construction is typical of Noritake's mid-20th-century stoneware and china, showing high-fired durability and a smooth, vitreous glaze. The Alhambra pattern was produced primarily in the 1970s, reflecting the era's preference for earth tones mixed with classic Mediterranean-inspired filigree. The condition appears fair to good; there are visible surface scuffs, some minor black pitting or dust specks on the interior of the plate, and slight shelf wear on the foot of the bowl. No significant chips or cracks are immediately visible, though there is slight dulling of the gold luster in high-contact areas, suggesting light previous use.