Eames Era Ceramic Appraisal

Mid-Century Ceramic Duck Mini Creamer

This item is a whimsical ceramic mini creamer, designed in the stylized form of a duck or bird, characteristic of mid-century novelty items. It is crafted from glazed ceramic, likely earthenware or porcelain, given its smooth, shiny finish. The primary colors are a soft, slightly off-white serving as the base, complemented by vibrant hand-painted details. The duck's head features a rich blue on the crown and around the eyes, with defined white eyeballs and black pupils. Its beak is a distinctive pale pink, tapering to a pointed spout for pouring. The handle, formed by the bird's tail or a wing, is a contrasting dark green. A patch of dark blue is visible on the chest or underbelly, along with a rounded green patch on its side, suggesting plumage. Another hint of pink appears on its lower body, completing the multi-colored 'feathered' appearance. The construction appears solid and well-molded, although it's difficult to assess thickness without direct handling. The glaze shows a consistent sheen across the piece, indicating good firing. There are no immediately apparent cracks, chips, or significant wear marks visible in the provided image, suggesting it is in good, possibly excellent, vintage condition for its age. The underside, which would typically contain manufacturing details or maker's marks, is not visible. Its small size, as implied by 'mini creamer', points to its use for individual servings of cream, milk, or perhaps as a decorative trinket. This piece exhibits strong craftsmanship for a mass-produced or semi-mass-produced item of its era, with neat application of glazes and colors.