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Subject:Antique Japanese Bookends help.
Posted By: Mars Sun, Mar 25, 2012 IP: 98.121.75.1

These are very old 9"x3.5". They are hand carved and coated in a non-paint coating with "age cracks". There are not any identifying marks. There is a chip which discloses a pinkish colored ceramic. Any information about the origin and artist would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.





Subject:Re: Antique Japanese Bookends help.
Posted By: Cal Mon, Mar 26, 2012

They look molded mass-made. Impossible to tell who might have sculpted the original template for the molds.

Nothing you show suggests Japanese. If made in Japan for export, probably middle to late 20th century. A 'bookend' is not a Japanese concept. The figures are pseudo-Viking, warrior and cleric.

Good luck,
Cal

Subject:Re: Re: Antique Japanese Bookends help.
Posted By: Mars Tue, Mar 27, 2012

Cal, thank you for the feed back. I made a poor assumption these were from Japan. There are not any location markings on them. Thank you for the direction with regard to origin. There are pin marks at the bottoms and there aren't any seams indicating these are from a mold. They aren't uniform enough to have come from a mold, I could be wrong. They are solid (not hollow) and the underlying pink colored ceramic is unusual. I should have offered these details in my original posting. Please let me know if this additional information changes your thoughts on this. Either way I APPRECIATE your reply and your TIME, because you have provided them generously. Thank you.

Subject:Re: Re: Re: Antique Japanese Bookends help.
Posted By: Cal Thu, Mar 29, 2012

Molded clay items can be well-finished when leather-hard, smoothing away seams. Sometimes can see trace of flat area where seam-lines smoothed.

Since you do not provide photo of 'pin marks' can not comment.

Pinkish earthenware clay due to iron-oxide impurities can be found all over world. Your pieces likely Europe made.

Good luck,
Cal

Subject: Re: Antique Japanese Bookends help.
Posted By: Mars Sun, Apr 01, 2012

Thank you Cal. You are indeed a wealth of knowledge and I appreciate you sharing. I am attaching an image of the pin marks in the case they provide any insight. Thank you again.



Subject:Re: Re: Antique Japanese Bookends help.
Posted By: Cal Mon, Apr 02, 2012

The 'pin marks' are where small bubble burst.

Your pieces might not be fired clay at all, could be colored plaster of Paris, painted not glazed.

Good luck,
Cal


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