Raised Moriage Japanese Kutani Sleeping Cat

Porcelain Sleeping Cat, also "Nemuri Neko" in Japanese, with elaborately hand-painted raised moriage detail and intricate beaded decorations. The entire body features a meticulous reticulated pattern, embellished with gold gilded accents.

• Size: 8" Long x 4" Wide x 3" High (20 cm x 10 cm x 7.5 cm)
• Condition: New
• Due to the nature of handpainted item, colors may very from each other.
• Made in Japan
• No maker's marks

You may be familiar with this mold as it was used to make vintage Japanese cat figurines such as Kutani, Imari and Satsuma figurines. The mold has been handed down, so this raised sleeping cat has been reproduced by a skilled artisan.

See HERE for other feline figurines including Japanese lucky cats Maneki Neko.

This item is a Seto-yaki porcelain figurine. 'Seto-yaki' is a general term for porcelain products made in Seto Japan, which includes all kinds of porcelain items from decorative figurines to chinaware for daily use.  Seto is a city located in the center of Japan, and is also the center for Japan's ceramics industry.  From Occupied Japan Era to the late '70s, Seto-yaki under various brand names used to be exported worldwide. Seto-yaki, now mostly for domestic sales, is still the most produced ceramic products in Japan.