Park Bench Figurines Appraisal

Vintage Black Americana Three Boys on Park Bench Ceramic Figurines

This item is a novelty ceramic figurine set featuring three stylized small boys of African descent seated on a miniature green wire park bench. Each figure is depicted with very dark skin, white shorts, and holding a large, vibrantly painted red watermelon slice with black seeds. The figures are roughly uniform in size, likely standing around 3 to 4 inches tall individually. They are crafted from glazed ceramic or porcelain with cold-painted details. The bench is constructed of thin, green-painted metal wire with scrollwork on the legs and horizontal slats for the seat and backrest. This style of decorative item, often referred to as Black Americana or 'pickaninny' imagery, was common in the mid-20th century, typically between the 1930s and 1950s. The paint shows minor wear and some manufacturing imperfections in the glaze, which is typical for mass-produced novelty ceramics of this era. The three figures appear to be three separate pieces or fused as a trio that sit loosely on the metal frame. No visible maker's marks or signatures are noted in the image, although these were often imported from Japan during the post-war period. The craftsmanship is modest, with simplified facial features (white dots for eyes) and a focus on bold, contrasting primary colors.