Hello, this item is a pair of vintage Japanese Hakata-style ceramic or bisque clay figurines, probably dating to the mid-20th century, around the 1950s to 1970s. One figure depicts a seated artisan painting a red paper lantern, while the other depicts a seated man examining or holding a samurai helmet. The hand-painted surfaces, expressive faces, genre subjects, and matte ceramic body are consistent with Hakata ningyō type figures from Fukuoka, Japan, which became popular export and souvenir pieces in the postwar period. Similar vintage Hakata lantern-painter figures appear in the current secondary market around the low-hundreds or below, with one comparable mid-century lantern-painter example listed at about $85.

The figures appear decorative rather than museum-level antique pieces, and no artist seal, original box, or workshop documentation is visible in the provided images. Their appeal lies in their charming subject matter, good modeling, and Japanese mid-century decorative character. The condition appears very good overall from the photographs, with light age wear and minor surface rubbing but no obvious major breaks or losses. As a pair, they would be of interest to collectors of Japanese export ceramics, Hakata dolls, and postwar Japanese decorative arts, but the market remains modest unless a recognized maker or original signed box is present.

Fair Market Value: $90 - $180 USD