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 little girl.

She is dressed in traditional European countryside garb. A black dress with a green and white apron and a red and white head kerchief, with brown shoes complete her outfit. She is holding a sweet yellow basket on one arm and a bright red flower in the other hand. Her sweet face has dark eyes and rosy cheeks, surrounded by reddish 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. There are two spots on her hair that look like the paint is rubbed off, but I actually think this is how it was produced. There is no roughness of feeling of difference in the glaze in those spots. She has a high, shiny glaze. The bottom is unglazed.

Dimensions:
4 1/2" tall
2 1/4" wide (at widest point)
1 3/4" deep