Featured Japanese Exportware Tea Set w/Tray. AGE?

I don't normally post in here, because I don't normally buy glassware & ceramics. But this was too pretty not to buy, and I felt, for a great price.

So, tell me about this:



The guy I bought it from said that it was turn-of-the-century Japanese exportware, but couldn't tell me anything about the mark. I'd love to know more about the mark and how old this set is. It's in immaculate condition!!

The mark on the base says:

"Hand Painted"
"JAPAN"
"I.E. & C. Co".

 

With a mark like that it will almost certainly inter-war period. I'm not familiar with the maker, also it wasn't uncommon for such pieces to have importers marks on them. In such cases the marks are specific to an importer rather than the maker.

 

Lovely and unusual design!

 

IE&C Co is one of those mysterious Japanese companies nobody knows.
http://www.noritakecollectorsguild.info/researchers/johnhenley/index.html
Lovely set though.

 

Much more elaborate design, but this immediately reminded me of Noritake pattern 150. That was my mother's "good china pattern."

 

It's a Lovely set, Shangas!! Sorry I can't add more........

 

I suspected that this might be the response I'd get, but hey, at least I tried!!

Never mind! I still think it's beautiful. The thing that really grabbed me was the angular, geometric shapes of everything. I've never seen a set that looks this old, which looks like that. A friend suggested it was Art Deco, but I just don't see it...it looks more Edwardian to me.