Ceramic Umbrella Stand Appraisal

Hand-Painted Ceramic Umbrella Stand / Vase with 'Girl in Rain' Motif

This is a tall, cylindrical ceramic vessel, likely functioning as an umbrella stand or a large decorative floor vase. The primary color of the body is an off-white or cream, providing a neutral canvas for the hand-painted design. The top rim is finished with a distinct, glossy cobalt blue glaze, which contrasts sharply with the muted tones of the body and the brown and blue of the main illustration. The vessel features a charming hand-painted folk-art style depiction of a young girl holding an umbrella, with diagonal lines suggesting falling rain around her. The girl wears a blue dress with lighter blue accents, indicating movement or pleats, and her umbrella is rendered in varying shades of brown. The outlines of the figure and rain are in a dark brown or black, contributing to a slightly rustic or whimsical feel. Small dotted details also suggest rainfall. The ceramic appears to be earthenware or stoneware, possibly hand-thrown given the slight irregularities in shape, though this isn't definitive without closer inspection. The glaze on the body has a matte or semi-gloss finish, allowing the texture of the ceramic to show through, while the blue rim is notably shinier. No visible chips, cracks, or significant wear are apparent from the provided images, suggesting it is in good condition. There are no discernible maker's marks or signatures visible on the exterior to indicate manufacturing details or origin. Given its style, it appears to be a decorative item from the late 20th century, possibly from the 1970s to 1990s, when hand-painted ceramic items with folk-art themes were popular. The craftsmanship, while not formal artistry, shows careful attention to detail in the painting, indicative of a quality decorative piece.