Posted 12 years ago
JapaneseCarl
(2 items)
G'day from Australia
I've had these two figurines for more than 20 years. I'm not sure of how I came about them but I've thought them unusual because of them being Mammy's (I stand corrected if I have mistaken what they are). I've been looking for Japanese antiques through these pages for a few years now and for the first time decided to do my own show and tell.
They stand around 10 inches high and 5 inches wide. They are both made of the same pottery like material.
By the two round holes in the rear of both of the figurines I thought they may have originally been finger puppets. Some smaller holes in one of the figurines are from wear I think.
Relatively light in weight approx 150 grams each one.
The correct word is indeed "mammy" - they are a huge part of "Black Americana" collectibles now, in fact the market is being flooded now with "knock-off" reproductions from China - yours look to be original 1950's era and I believe painted bisque. These were made for several different things, salt & pepper shakers, banks, etc. but yours with the holes in the back were as "utensil holders" - I put a link for one on ebay which shows your type, not the same exact shape form, but with the holes in the back like yours;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Black-Americana-Ceramic-Mammy-Utensil-Holder-/131366690202?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e96109d9a
Thanks very much Aghcollect I apreciate the effort you have put in to help me gain insight into these figurines. Hope you have a great 2015