Featured Two old geezers arguing about sumthin'

left - He's the best prime minister (or president) we have ever had.
right - Dunno he seems a bit dodgy to me

left - The share market is going to keep going up and up
right - looks bloody shaky to me mate

Described online at the auction as "Chinese figure group - men having a discussion" I took a punt on it and assumed it was some commercial production item but it seems to be all hand sculpted. Underneath there are lots of finger pressed marks and strange tool that produced groups of four tiny holes in a row. The guy on the right seems to have fangs and is probably some mythical being such as the "god of drunks". Could someone please enlighten me as to what is going on and if possible decipher the writing and stamp on the rear?
Data 27cm Wide 18.5cm High 2.72Kg
Cheers
Stephen

 

too much sake wine........!

 

I was going to suggest a fork, but they do look very small. Think we need to call in @Asian Fever

 

This is modern Chinese. This kind of porcelain we called Shi Wan porcelain (石湾窑) -(Shi Wan Yao - Shi Wan Kiln).
When you guys google Shi Wan porcelain, you can find many items like this. They are mostly made after 1990s, become pretty popular after 2000s.

 

They are not having a discussion. They are drinking ahcohol and playing finger-guessing game.

 

Thank you @Asian Fever. I almost got there when I discovered the term "mudmen" which I believe is an earlier and cruder export version of Shi Wan porcelain. Can you tell me what the scratched writing on the back says?

 

行酒令 - drinkers' wager game

金世精品 (Jing Shi exceptional production) or (Golden century exceptional produce)

 

Misc - did you notice that they both resemble Noel Coward?

I think they are adorable!

 

Thank you

 

you are welcome

 

They are beautifully finished and must be a one-off. No?? Modern, well signed ... surely this piece is by a known artist?

 

That's my thoughts too. If you search for "mudman figurine" on eboo that same fisherman shows up several times indicating a common mold so probably not even a mudman figurine just a normal figurine. There seems to be quite a lot of confusion between Shi Wan sculptured porcelain and mudman figurines and normal mold produced figurines . Mine I think is definitely Shi Wan hand sculptured porcelain and while it may not be a one off it is unique in its own hand made way. It doesn't appear to be signed by the artist but the stamp may be another clue.
Cheers
Stephen

 

I imported a full 20 ft container of Shi wan porcelain in 2013. Mostly are small pieces, houses, animals and figures. They are pretty normal and easy to find in US market.

 

They have pretty nice miniature pieces(smaller than thumb), very detail and cute.
They are worth for collecting, and price is good, most are less than 2 bucks.

 

These things are in the window of a local bonzai store......