Hello Mark, I’m very glad that you chose Mearto for your online appraisal, Considering the photographs, overall pattern, mark and the painting quality, I concluded that this is a "Bi Bi" Nippon Hand Painted Basket with an Hexagonal Center. As far as we know, Bi Bi is not a factory or a producer but rather a shop, trading company. They probably commissioned pieces from Japanese factories to sell elsewhere. The general shape and the decoration is very similar, almost identical to later Kutani Ware, which increases the possibility that this mark was a mark of the seller not the producer. Pieces might be coming from similar or same factories that Kutani Ware were produced. We usually date this mark the the 1940-1960 period, we have very few pieces recorded from 1930's. "Bi Bi" was actually a family name, representing a porcelain ware dealer family in Lebanon, Beirut. They imported porcelain to Palestine till 1947. They were forced to leave Palestine and then they continued their bussiness til late 1960's in Lebanon. Your piece adapts Idillyc scenes on it's three internal faces, These scenes are hand painted but in a poor quality. This quality is very much expected in export quality hand painted Japanese pieces from 1940's onward. Scenes represent a farm house and it's limited surroundings. Rest of the decoration is made of gilt and usually floral. Center of the Hexagon is also decorated by a floral decoration. Base is also hexagonal. Very decorative. Entirely hand painted. Dimensions: 8 Inches Wide, 2 Inches Deep, each side of the hexagonal bottom is 4 Inches Wide. Condition: In good condition with minor signes of use. Provenance: It was a part of a collection owned by the current owner's great aunt in Pittston, Maine. Decorated by Idillyc scenes and floral patterns. 50-70$. Please don’t hesitate to reach us again for more online appraisals on your precious items, thank you for choosing Mearto.
