Meito China - A Little History

Meito china is a popular brand of china made in Japan. Meito China was created when Kotero Asukai one of the founders of Noritake who left the company around 1908. He opened Nagoya Seito Sho Co. where china marked as Meito was produced. This certainly explains why many Noritake and Meito patterns are so similar that sometimes without a backstamp you cannot tell whether it is Noritake or Meito.

As with many china companies in the early days they did not name their patterns. This makes matching and identification very difficult. Some of the patterns’ only difference can be the color of a small flower or leaf that is a different.

Meito China was marketed by some of the largest distribution firms in the United States. The Nagoya Seito Sho Co. was acquired by Sumitomo Steel dutring World War II. The corporate name was changed to Narumi Seito Narumi.

The company produces mostly dinnerware and manufactures the four major lines of Orleans, Windsor, Empire and Asama. A variant of Orleans, Norleans has been noted especially for its cutting edge, modern design. The vast number of Meito patterns reflects the rich traditions of both East and West. Meito's parent company, Narumi Seito Narumi, continues to manufacture fine bone china and porcelain today.

The Norleans line constitutes a departure from tradition with its single, steep rise in the middle of the plate and a wide, basically flat, rim that occupies up to half of the plate's surface. Decoration is typically simple. Orleans patterns include Dexter, Pastelle and Adele, with Norleans featuring its own version of Adele, as well as Garden Rose, and Livonia.

As with many china companies in the early days they did not name their patterns. This makes matching and identification very difficult. Some of the patterns only difference can be a small flower or leaf that is a different color.

Below are examples of the Norleans pattern of Meito China.

To purchase this Meito Norleans China click link below and type Norleans in search box.

http://us.ebid.net/perl/account.cgi?mo=account-pending&start=75