Military Figurine Appraisal

Japanese Ceramic Military Figure

This item is a small, vintage ceramic or porcelain figurine of a standing figure depicted from the back, wearing what appears to be a military-style uniform with a cap. The primary colors visible are off-white and a reddish-brown glaze, with the reddish-brown pigment heavily applied and worn in areas, creating a speckled or distressed patina. The uniform details are molded into the ceramic, showing lapels, epaulets, pockets, a belt with a buckle, and pleating or seams. The figure's legs and the bottom of the coat are partially visible. The back of the figurine bears impressed markings: "MADE IN JAPAN" is clearly legible, and below it appears a four-digit number, with the first two digits appearing to be "<2" and the last two digits appearing to be "91" or similar, possibly indicating a mold number or internal code. The molding is somewhat crude, especially in the smaller details, which is typical of items produced for export from Japan in the early to mid-20th century. The glaze application is uneven, contributing to the aged and worn appearance. There are no obvious cracks or chips visible in the cropped image, but the overall surface exhibits significant wear and loss of the darker glaze, revealing the lighter base material beneath. The craftsmanship suggests mass production rather than fine artistry. The style of the uniform and the "MADE IN JAPAN" marking are indicative of items produced in the pre-WWII or immediate post-WWII era.