Pair of Japanese ceramic Bookends, seated Boy and Girl, mid C20th

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Auction Start: 18/02/26 21:55:00 UTC
Auction Ending: 05/03/26 20:54:00 UTC
Time Remaining: 13d 20h 12m
LOT NUMBER 28
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LOT NUMBER 28

Pair of Japanese ceramic Bookends, seated Boy and Girl, mid C20th

A pair of Japanese ceramic bookends, each modelled as a seated figure, a boy and a girl, dressed in elaborate robes, the boy wearing a typical Oriental conical hat, both holding in their upraised arms a carrier’s ‘yoke’, their throne-like chairs with gilt decoration to the sides. While figures like this were sometimes made in Europe, this pair not only look Japanese but were clearly made there. The style of the decoration and the paste of the foot both confirm this. Dating is probably to the 1950s when Japan was exporting a variety of novelty ceramic items for a Western audience. The two yokes are a strange addition. Normally these are seen with hanging containers attached, usually for water. Image 9 shows a typical and heavily burdened ‘water carrier’ figure from the late nineteenth century. Our pair here can hardly be regarded as taking a rest, so the carrying implements were presumably simply added to enhance the design. The result, though, is extremely pleasing and would more than enhance a small collection of books today.
Size: Man : Ht (max) 22cm, Width (max) 13cm, Depth (max) 10.5cm, Base 7.5cm x 7cm Woman : Ht (max) 21cm, Width (max) 13cm, Depth (max) 10cm, Base 7.8cm x 7cm
Weight: 1.19kg (both)
Date: 1950s
Condition: Good condition, no issues.
Estimate: £40 – 60

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