Description:
Availability: 5 matching pairs — sold individually – US $26.00 per cup & saucer pair
Experience the romance of the golden age of luxury railway travel with this elegant vintage Nostalgie Orient – Istanbul Express fine bone china tea cup and saucer, manufactured in Japan during the 1980s by Momoyama Ceramics.
Created in connection with the celebrated Orient Express ’88 project, this beautifully crafted Japanese bone china captures the elegance and sophistication of the world’s most legendary luxury train.
Each cup features a luminous pearly-white finish, a rich cobalt blue border, intricate gold detailing, and the distinctive Nostalgie Orient – Istanbul Express crest. The matching saucer repeats the elegant blue and gold decoration, creating a timeless and beautifully coordinated pair.
The fine, delicate translucency of the bone china reflects the exceptional quality of Japanese ceramic craftsmanship.
Imagine breakfast aboard the Orient Express: crisp white tablecloths, polished silver, freshly brewed tea, and the changing European countryside passing beyond the windows. These charming pieces evoke that atmosphere of leisurely travel and refined hospitality.
Perfect for afternoon tea, elegant entertaining, display, or as a thoughtful gift for collectors of vintage Japanese porcelain and historic railway memorabilia.
The Story Behind Orient Express ’88
In 1988, Japan witnessed an extraordinary chapter in railway history when the legendary Orient Express was brought from Europe to Japan as part of an ambitious international cultural project celebrating the 30th anniversary of Fuji Television Network.
Sponsored by Hitachi Ltd. and supported by JR East and other Japanese railway companies, the project reportedly cost approximately ¥3 billion and captured the imagination of railway enthusiasts and the Japanese public.
Its origins were connected to Fuji Television’s 1982 documentary, The Orient Express: A Magnificent 3,500km Journey from London to Istanbul, which celebrated the romance of the famous railway and the revival of luxury Orient Express travel.
The Orient Express ’88 project brought the elegance of Europe’s great railway tradition to Japan, inspiring a collection of commemorative tableware and memorabilia.
These fine bone china cups and saucers are a beautiful reminder of that remarkable occasion, combining European-inspired luxury with the quality and precision of Japanese craftsmanship.
Please note: This listing is for one cup and one matching saucer, not the complete set of five shown in some photographs. Five matching pairs are currently available and may be purchased individually or together, subject to availability.
Authentic vintage — Made in Japan.
Perfect For:
- Orient Express enthusiasts
- Railway memorabilia collectors
- Art Deco collectors
- Vintage French glass collectors
- Elegant home décor
- Special occasion entertaining
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.