Vintage Pair of Green Frog Figurine

Description

These adorable frogs were made by talented potters in Shiwan, a small city outside of Guangzhou (Canton) in the 1950's. … more These adorable frogs were made by talented potters in Shiwan, a small city outside of Guangzhou (Canton) in the 1950's. Shiwan is the pottery center of South China. It is better known for the "Mudmen", bearded fishermen figurines that were sold as souvenirs in Chinese pavilions in the World's Fairs as well as Chinatown shops. But little is known about the small group of craftsmen who did creative work, especially in naturalistic subject matters, such as birds, fish, crabs, lobsters, fruits and vegetables, some are still available as wall pockets.

The frogs are made from two molds seamed together in the center. The front legs were hand made, placed on the sides as if the frogs are ready to jump. The colors were applied by hand, the eyeballs in black gave the frogs a lively look. Objects like this pair of frogs are not likely to be exported. Growing up in Hong Kong in a family who collected Shiwan objects, I have not yet seen Shiwan frogs until I found this in a antique fair in a small town outside of Guangzhou.in the 1990's. They have been kept in good condition since the 1950's when Shiwan went back to ceramic production after WWII, and the potters did creative works until the Cultural Revolution broke out in the 1960's. less