How Do You Determine Noritake China Patterns?
Noritake china is a popular, affordable china produced in Japan. The company began its import business after trade negotiations between Japan and other world markets, including the United States, were completed in 1858. Since that time, various back marks used on the china pieces have been used to identify the name of the pattern and its approximate age. Those back marks often reflect the history of Noritake china. Look on the back of your china piece. Even the oldest back “marks on Noritake china will usually say “Noritake.” Older back marks will sometimes have a laurel wreath that contains the letter “M.” These, too, verify that the manufacturer was Noritake. After 1933, Noritake added a ribbon at the bottom of the laurel wreath. The newer back marks (after 1953) will have the letter “N” in the center of the laurel wreath. Look for back marks that indicate markets other than the United States. You might see what looks like a balance beam with the letters “RC” (Royal Crockery) inscrib
