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Can anyone help identify the date and original use of this object? It is Japanese and depicts a European or sailor-like figure seated inside a seashell. There is also what appears to be a Christian cross or Christian-related mark on the underside. I would be very interested to know when it was made, what it may have been used for, and whether the imagery has any particular historical significance.

Are you certain that this ceramic figural group is Japanese? It may be Japanese but another possibility to consider is Chinese Shiwan ware. This ware is characterized by a buff to brown paste (often slightly gritty) and multi-colored glazes, some of which are almost opalescent or exhibit "flambe" effects.

Dear Robert, It is Japanese, most probably from Hirado, and it retains its original nineteenth-century box. It was likely used in an elite household as an unusual display object and perhaps as a conversation piece.
I mainly wanted to confirm this attribution, or ideally to find a specialist familiar with this very rare category of objects, as comparable examples seem to be extremely uncommon.

Regards,
Luke

Luke,

So it is porcelain? The brownish paste looked like earthenware or stoneware.

Robert

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