Hand-Painted Studio Pottery Platter with Figural Trio

This is a vintage hand-painted ceramic platter or shallow bowl featuring a whimsical figural scene of three female faces. The piece is constructed from a cream-colored ceramic body with a smooth glazed finish. The artistic style is folk-inspired, utilizing bold outlines and a vibrant color palette of cobalt blue, sunshine yellow, teal, and terracotta. The figures are depicted with large blue eyes, rosy cheeks, and stylized red-brown hair. One figure in the center is notably posed with an open mouth, suggesting singing or speaking. The painting is executed with a visible hand-brushed technique, showing varied pigment density that adds depth to the clothing and background. A small artist signature or mark followed by the date '02' is visible near the bottom rim of the image, indicating the piece was likely created in 2002. The condition appears to be excellent for its age, with the glaze retaining a high-gloss sheen and no immediate evidence of significant chipping, crazing, or surface abrasions. The craftsmanship exhibits the unique, non-uniform qualities characteristic of studio pottery or decorative art-ware rather than mass-produced commercial ceramics.