Vintage Figurine Appraisal

Vintage Ceramic Lady Figurine

This is a vintage ceramic figurine depicting a stylized lady, likely from the mid-20th century, possibly the 1940s-1960s. The figurine is hand-painted and appears to be made of bisque or unglazed ceramic with a matte and slightly textured finish, although some areas show a slight sheen which could indicate a clear glaze over the paint in places. It measures approximately 6-8 inches in height, based on its size relative to the hand holding it. The woman is depicted with a round, youthful face, closed eyes, and her mouth open in an 'o' shape, perhaps singing or surprised. She has short, curly blonde hair peeking out from under a light blue bonnet with a gold-painted trim. Her attire includes a light blue bow tied at the neck, a prominent red coat or cape with white trim designed to resemble ermine fur (white with black speckles), and a light blue dress or skirt underneath. The 'ermine' trim also features gold accents, adding to its decorative appeal. There are visible signs of wear and age, particularly the chipping and loss of paint, especially on the gold accents and the 'fur' detailing, revealing the white ceramic underneath. The matte finish of the blue and red paints suggests an older manufacturing style, and the overall aesthetic points to a novelty decorative item rather than fine art pottery. The piece does not show any discernible maker's marks or signatures from the visible angles, which is common for mass-produced ceramic figurines of this era. The craftsmanship is decent for its type, with clear outlines and painted features, but it lacks the fine detail of higher-end ceramics. The condition suggests it has been handled and displayed over many years.