Vintage Ceramic Squirrel and Walnut Covered Dish

This item is a decorative covered dish crafted from glazed ceramic, featuring a whimsical design of a squirrel perched atop a walnut-shaped container. The dish is primarily a warm, light brown or beige color, depicting the shell of a walnut with realistic textured grooves and ridges that mimic the natural surface of a walnut. The squirrel figure, which acts as the handle for the lid, is a darker, glossy deep brown. It is depicted in a classic sitting pose with its tail curved upwards behind it and a detailed, cheerful expression on its face, including visible ears and a small snout. The ceramic appears to be in good overall condition, showing a smooth, reflective glaze across both the walnut and squirrel components, indicating no significant chips, cracks, or repairs are immediately visible from the provided image. The construction suggests it is a two-piece set: a bowl-like bottom and a matching lid with the integrated squirrel figurine. While manufacturing details like maker's marks are not discernible, the style is characteristic of mid-20th century novelty ceramics, likely dating from the 1950s to 1970s. The craftsmanship appears to be of standard quality for mass-produced decorative ceramics of that era, with attention to detail in the molding of both the walnut texture and the squirrel's form. This type of piece was typically used for serving nuts, candy, or as a general decorative accent.