This is a figure of 2 chinese men one holding fish hanging over the fish pot. On a decorated base with browns greens blue glaze. Hand painted details. High shine. Marked on bottom China with a separate impressed mark with chinese signature.
The faces and hands appear to be silk. The faces are handpainted. Some have glass/plastic eyes, some are painted on. All have some type of embellishment. Legs appear to be layers of very thin paper/shell? Silk hand are detailed with fingers.
I aquired it from the family estate and I don't know where they got them or how long ago. The tebles are very well made and the table top has a closed bottom about 5" under the top. It is hollow although I have found no way to open them. I think they were just built that way.
This piece is an 8" tall egg shaped bank made of ceramic or some kind of pottery. Appears to be hand-painted with a girl in a bonnet soaking her feet as her kitty-cat looks on. The back of the bank features the cat next to a bowl. The bottom is marked "Italy" and "EJ" I think....I'm not sure about the "J". There is a mark on the side that looks to be under the surface of the glaze, and looks original. Otherwise, it's in perfect shape.
Any appraisal is apprecaited, along with aything you know about the maker/artist involved. :)
I have had someone certified to work in this field (Asian art) suggest that this is perhaps from the 18th century. I would maybe like some more details and how to "spot a fake" this piece appears to be authentic but I am by no means any type of expert. I'm hoping there is someone out there who will be able to tell me something. Thank you