M in Wreath Mark

Q: This vase was given to me by a 90-year-old friend in 2000. It was given to her mother before 1920. This is the mark on the bottom. Can you tell me who made this vase?

A: This M in wreath mark was registered in Japan and the U.S. in 1911. It is usually in green, but can be found in blue, gold, or magenta. The “M” stands for Morimura, a trading company that had offices in Tokyo and New York City. Morimura Bros. Co. was founded in 1876 and eventually became Noritake Co. Ltd. The word “Nippon,” the Japanese name for Japan, was used on goods imported into the United States from 1891 to 1921. After 1921 “Japan” was used. Marks used after 1915 usually include the words “Made in” and the country name.