Historical information

After WWII, Japan became an export centre for many items, mostly under heavy US investment. They provided the market with an extensive range of mass-produced and affordable pieces. Pieces are typically unmarked, or else simply say 'Japan' in a fine red ink.

These items were designed to replicate German-made porcelain trinkets, export of which was halted due to the war's impact of people's perception of Germany as a country at that time. Commonalities are a white glossy surface, hand-painted details and gold highlights. The Japanese pieces differ in that their casting is not as crisp, and there is often roughly-textured decorative spots of applied grit or extrusions.

Physical description

Small porcelain 'tree trunk' vase, white gloss glaze with a figural squirrel and 2 birds. Flowers dotted about, hand-painted. Unmarked, likely made in Japan circa 1940s 1950s.

Condition note: broken on back.

Inscriptions & markings

none