frog bowl

Hi there. This strange frog bowl belongs to a friend (I wish it were mine) and he'd love to know something about it. It measures 12" diameter, maybe 1 1/2" deep and doesn't seem to have any makers marks. It's a sort of pale earthenware, seems to perhaps be a mixture of slip glazing and enamel (maybe, we're really not sure). It seems to have been in the family for a while, pre 1920's, but nothing much more is really known about it.





Any info or suggestions greatly appreciated, Thanks.

Arthur Rackham springs to mind...and so does one of the Amphora potteries...Turn-Teplitz area, Austria. Sorry can't be of more help.
It really is a beauty tho'.

Hi, yes, it reminded me of Arthur Rackham illustrations as well. Thanks for your suggestions, it's something to start with.

Bump.....
I haven't got any further with this one, any ideas?

I suspect it's Japanese. The scrolling decoration round the outside could represent clouds, which are common on oriental ceramics. The humour of the scene, and the asymmetrical positioning of the picture indicates a Japanese rather than Chinese origin. The shape of the foot rim also looks oriental.
Possibly late 19th Century, but worth taking to a Chinese/Japanese ceramics specialist at a reputable auction house (eg, Woolley & Wallis) for assessment.

Frogs are a sign of good luck/wealth in Japan I understand....

Taylor Thomas wrote:Frogs are a sign of good luck/wealth in Japan I understand....

So are rats, aren't they? *shiver*