These were fairly common in the 1940s as inexpensive porcelain, hand painted, from Occupied Japan was one of the ways to bring the country back into the world economy after the war. Often the pieces were similar in presentation to Hummel figurines, but much more rudimentary and painted with a less detailed style. They are getting harder and harder to find as the Greatest Generation's estates, who were the collectors, are less and less common. This is a really cute little piece and I thought it would be perfect for the playroom of a family that had a boy and girl.

The children are dressed in traditional European countryside garb. A green jacket, gray Tyrolean hat and shorts for the boy. A red dress and kerchief, with pink shoes for the little girl. The boy is playing a horn and the little girl has a posy of yellow flowers in her hands. They are perched on a fence with sweet faces. Both have blue eyes and blonde hair.

The bottom is marked Made in Occupied Japan.

The piece is in really nice, vintage condition. No chips or cracks. The paint is haphazardly applied, but that was the way it was done originally. I do not believe the paint has rubbed off with age, but rather it was always this way. It has a high, shiny glaze. The bottom is unglazed.

Dimensions:
4 1/4" tall
2 1/2" wide
1 1/2" deep