Featured Wee wabbit...bitty bunny. Where from?

This little art pottery bunny is 1.75 (4.5 cm) inches long.

Local antique shop on sale today.

European or...?

 

the two holes make me think it's a netsuke....but likely not !!

 

Reminds me of some tea pets I’ve seen, but I’ve never seen one with a base that colour. I think the two holes are a significant clue. Either way it feels Eastern to me.

 

I think the holes are too small to be used practically, they are about 2-3 mm in diameter. Not sure if they're connected or each other either, I'll see if a thread will pass through them. They are definitely reminiscent if netsuke holes.

 

You're right about the tea pet, except I don't think I've ever seen a glazed one. Thanks!

 

Pottery netsuke...who knew?

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20189/lot/137/?category=list&length=10&page=14

https://www.gazette-drouot.com/en/lots/10891127

 

What is a "tea pet?"

 

Small unglazed clay figurines i think usually made if yixing clay, kept as "pets" - i think you pour tea over them during tea serving...for fun?

https://theteacupoflife.com/2017/05/what-exactly-is-a-tea-pet.html

 

Thank you!

 

My understanding is that the teapots are similarly maintained— repeated treating them with hot tea creates a glazed look. The famed “pee-pee boy” (and hollow pets like it) is popular because it helps you gauge when you water is hot. Nowadays you can go to Chinese retailers and buy them hollow (as with the pee-pee boy), solid unglazed clay, glazed or painted (very modern, naturally). They are also sometimes referred to as “tea mascots” in the West.