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Hi, I would like any information about this piece of Japanese porcelain. It is unglazed, more like bisque you would find in an antique doll head (pinky on the outside and white on inside). It sits on a wooden base that has China written on it. Total size is about 7 inches high , lady part is about 5 inches high. What date is this from and any value? many thanks for your time.

I believe your sculpture is meant to represent a traditional Japanese pearl diver or 'ama', based on the way the hair is modeled trailing down as if wet. The ama is generally depicted in Japanese art as performing her work in the nude. Most representations consist of woodblock prints and ivory okimono.

I've pasted a link below to an old web gallery listing, showing a Kutani standing ama figurine indicated to have been made in the 1950's. I can't fathom (pun intended) when yours might have been made, but it is respectably modeled and painted for any age in my opinion.

If the stand is simply marked 'China' as opposed to 'Made in China', perhaps the owner had it custom-carved circa 1890-1920. Is the figurine itself marked as made in Japan?

Best regards,

Bill H.

URL Title :JapanPearlDiver

Hi Bill, thanks so much for your very informative reply. The stand is just marked CHINA, not made in China. The figurine itself has no markings at all. I am thinking that the stand may have been original to the figurine as it fits perfectly onto the base and follows the arm curves etc. The base of the figurine has a round hole so you can see right inside it. I thought it may have been from the 1940's as my father was in Japan then as part of the J-Force. thanks for your time, Donna L

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