19thC Quail Pin Cushion - Japanese

I know that, in theory, this piece is beyond the remit of this board but there plenty of wise heads here whose knowledge extend beyond the 20th century.

Anyway, this is what I'm assuming is a 19th century pincushion modelled as a quail (or is it a partridge?). My question is where people think this may originate from -  a Staffordshire porcelaneous piece, a continental porcelain piece, or something else altogether? It's pretty well painted, particularly the feathers. Does the flat base, rather than a slightly concave one, indicate a place of origin? Any suggestions would be welcome.

Hi Essenjay

I have seen a fair few pin cushions and I am not sure yours fits into any of the 19th century types I have seen. Do you have family history that would link it to that age or is it a recent purchase so more of an attribute than confirmed?

The reason I am asking is the wear and color of the fabric, the fact it is ceramic, the type of material used and design. I would suggest puts it much closer to 1950's 1960's German / Japanese than earlier. Most 19th Century pin cushions are made to go into work boxes, so are small and made out of silver/gold or base metals like pewter. The larger ones tend to be hat pin holders and those are tall, ceramic and don't contain fabric cushions or are entirely fabric and not surprisingly cushion shaped. I could be wrong but I think mid century and German or Japanese could be a reasonable attribute without holding in my hand or having provenance to prove its age.

My first thought was early-mid 20thC Japanese Arita or Kutani

Ah, interesting. It was part of an auction lot last week that included a Staffordshire inkwell so I put two and two together... and obviously got five. I think what threw me was the clay frits on the base plus the colours of the decoration, rather than looking it as an object. You're right to question the age of the piece, Mordy, based on a relative lack of wear to the velvet which, incidentally, I think is sawdust filled. I'll give it a few more days to see if anyone else has any opinions then I'll probably stick it on eBay with a tentative German / Japanese attribution.

Relooking at it, I think it is Japanese. The German/Austrians are not known well painted items like this from this period. They used (biscuit?) porcelain a lot but think the painting is to fine for them. The Japanese on the other hand have always produced the finest work. The question then is it's age. NaomiM has suggested early to mid 20th, so 1920-1960. I think that's fair. So if you suggested first half of the 20th century you could not be far out.

Luckily for you I doubt there is any value difference from any of the attributes we have made. We tastes being what they are, I doubt it would change its price even if it was 19th century and English. If you choose to eBay it then I think demand will be based on it being cute.

Good luck

I think it's likely to be Japanese but nearer first half of 21st century than first half of the 20th century but that's purely based on looking at the images and not really based on any knowledge of this type of thing.

studio-pots wrote:I think it's likely to be Japanese but nearer first half of 21st century than first half of the 20th century but that's purely based on looking at the images and not really based on any knowledge of this type of thing.

Are you suggesting that the paint hasn't even dried yet? I'm outraged (not really!).

Well, like other clueless eBay sellers I'll describe it as 'vintage' and possibly Japanese, so thanks for everyone's thoughts. As mentioned, it'll sell for whatever someone wants to pay for it, depending on who happens to be looking on eBay during the seven days, and who remembers to bid, regardless of origin and date. Such is the arbitrary nature of selling on eBay.

Well, regardless of age or origin I really like this little birdy!

mowen wrote:Well, regardless of age or origin I really like this little birdy!

It could be yours!