Tree House

Name: Tree House
 
Type: None
 
Year: Circa 1950s–1960s
 
Set: No
 
Mark: None - Likely British or German origin (unmarked, probable post-WWII import ware)
 
History: This hand-painted ceramic figural vase is shaped like a whimsical forest cottage or Alpine house. The scene features a steeply pitched thatched roof, shuttered window with hearts, and a date plaque marked “AD 1489” above a stylized door — a design likely meant to invoke folk tales or Germanic fairy tales. The exaggerated detailing, brightly colored glaze, and naive charm are all indicative of mid-century novelty ceramics, often produced in Japan or Germany for export to English-speaking markets.
 
 
The base shows no impressed or printed factory mark, but there are faint signs of a foil label, suggesting it may have originally carried a sticker like “Made in Japan” or “Foreign,” both typical of postwar European and Asian ceramics sold in British shops. These cottage-shaped vessels were popular as novelty flower holders, souvenir items, or whimsical mantelpiece ornaments during the 1950s and '60s.
 
 
Condition appears stable with no major chips or cracks visible, though signs of light wear are present on the underside and some glaze pooling at the base. Collectors value these items more for their decorative charm than for rarity or prestige, and they often appeal to fans of kitsch, storybook, or country-cottage décor.
 
Flaws: None