Collectible Monkey Shakers Appraisal

Vintage Anthropomorphic Ceramic Monkey Salt and Pepper Shakers

This is a pair of vintage anthropomorphic ceramic monkey figurines, designed as a coordinating salt and pepper shaker set. Each monkey stands approximately 3 to 4 inches tall and is crafted from glazed ceramic with a high-gloss finish. The color palette features realistic tawny brown bodies with creamy white underbellies and faces, accented by whimsical pink highlights in the ears, cheeks, and mouths. The eyes are large and expressive with hand-painted black pupils, typical of mid-century kitsch design. One monkey is depicted with its left hand raised to its head, while the other features a slightly different seated posture, creating a playful narrative duo. Regarding condition, the shaker on the right shows a prominent horizontal hairline crack spanning the width of its neck, which significantly impacts its structural integrity and value. There is also visible crazing in the glaze, which is a common occurrence in vintage ceramics of this era. While no maker's marks are visible on the front, this style of whimsical animal figurine was popularized by Japanese ceramic manufacturers like Lefton or Napco during the 1950s and 1960s. The craftsmanship is of standard mass-market quality for the mid-20th century, characterized by molded forms and hand-applied cold paint details that often show minor wear or thinning over time.