Featured I CAN'T LOOK AWAY! --- any ideas?

I found this guy last week at an antique shop in North Carolina. Something about his large slightly unsettling eyes called to me! It is signed but the only part of the signature I can make out is "02" which I take as the date. It is a pottery piece with glaze on the inside and the dripping down the back and matte finish on the front. I think he might be an octopus because of the tentacles. I am wondering if someone can make out the signature or has any idea who might of made this. Also any ideas on what the hole in the back is for? One of my cool pottery finds from that area. Hope you get a kick out of him just like I did.

 

Think the hole is just so you can hang it.

 

Okay, that had been my thought as well, but I also thought it would be such an unusual piece to hang. To be fair it's unusual for anywhere.

 

Kind of like a wall pocket. How big is it?

 

I forgot to include that. It is 8.25" tall x 4" wide x 3" deep. I just don't usually see wall pockets with a flat bottom, but I guess it could have been made to be either a vase or a wall pocket.

 

It also has a curve to it, like the octopus thing is leaning towards the viewer.

 

My guess is the potter's intention was that you could have it sitting or hanging, with flowers or an artsy arrangement of dried weeds.

 

look away

 

Did!

 

I absolutely LOVE this and would have bought it!!!

 

Also, take a pencil or crayon and do a rubbing on the signature to see if you can lift it.....might make more sense to decipher.

 

I was thinking a walrus at first but I see octopus now. I think he's very cool!

 

This is a Woo Creature by Susan and Richard Marshall, actually from North Carolina. Here are some more: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/pair-woo-creature-coffee-mugs-north-1902457738

 

WOW!!! WHO KNEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ya have to admit.....totally unusual!! And in which case, I 'think' the second half of the signature says "MARSHALL"....also Stretched out and inverted to first name to help clarify, but since now identified, may not be needed.....here it is anyway.....and do I know what it says?......nope

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Well found, janetpjohn!

 

Thanks so much! I had done a Google image search and did not find these. That is super helpful!!!

 

nice find indeed!

 

Thank you all for your comments and researching help! I am always astounded by the wealth of knowledge on this forum. I'll make posts about about a few more pieces that I picked up in NC, and I'll be sure to check inside this Woo Creature vase if I loose any keys.