Pack Mule Decor Appraisal

Vintage Ceramic Donkey Pack-Mule Planter

Small-scale ceramic figurine depicting a burden-carrying donkey or pack-mule. This piece is a typical example of mid-20th-century figurative pottery, possibly manufactured in Japan during the postwar 'Occupied Japan' era (late 1940s to early 1950s), though it lacks visible underside marks in this view. The donkey features a rich brown and black glazed body with mottled, sponge-like textures on the legs. It carries a dual basket (pannier) on its back meant to hold toothpicks, matches, or small succulents. The baskets are rendered in a cream/yellow glaze with teal or green vertical and horizontal bands representing ropes. The donkey's face includes hand-painted black and white eyes. Measuring approximately 3-4 inches in height, the item displays a high-gloss lead-glaze finish. Condition appears generally good with no visible structural cracks or major chips, though typical age-related crazing (fine surface cracking in the glaze) and minor shelf wear on the feet are to be expected. The style is mid-century kitsch, characterized by whimsical animal subjects intended for kitchen or tabletop decor. The craftsmanship shows standard mass-produced mold work with manual glaze application, resulting in slight variations in color intensity across the body.