Unknown Japan Horse

I found this piece at Klassy Klutter in the side room with the collection of china and Japan horses. At first I thought it was a Mortens Studio - it certainly has that look, and the eyes are a lot like the "frog eyes" Mortens have.

There is crazing on the legs, so I know it is an older piece. I'll put it out on Blab and some of the other china collectors' sites and see if anyone can identify it.

 Unknown china black horse, $6, Klassy Klutter, Lafayette, Indiana, 2/2015/

 The frog eyes that remind me of a Mortens Studio piece.

The blue green and gold sticker reads, "Blue Grass Champion."

A Hagen Renaker and Three Imitations

After Sell It Here, I headed to Devine's Antiques (nothing), Leaping Leopard (nothing), and Klassy Klutter. BINGO!!

In the side room, there was a table with a lot of china and Japan horses. This group, sold as a set, caught my eye. I knew the reclining horse was a real Hagen Renaker. I suspected the other three pieces were Japan copies, and I was right.

 Set of four china horses, $9, Klassy Klutter, Lafayette, Indiana, 2/2015.

 HR Reclining Horse, A-209, 1951 - 1952, $9/set of four, Klassy Klutter, Lafayette, Indiana, 2/2015.

 The crazing in his glaze is typical of older Hagen Renakers. (I LOVE the old HRs!)

The picture isn't the best, but you can see "HR" incised into the underside.) I actually already have this piece, and will probably sell this one.

(Left) Japan imitation of HR Frisky Colt A-147 made 1952 - 1953,  $9 set of 4, Klassy Klutter, Lafayette, Indiana, 2/2015.

(Middle) Japan imitation of HR Saddle Horse A-146 made 1952 - 1953, $9 set of 4, Klassy Klutter, Lafayette, Indiana, 2/2015.

(Right) Japan imitation of HR Standing Colt #A-148 made 1952 - 1953, $9 set of 4, Klassy Klutter, Lafayette, Indiana, 2/2015.

Black Pintos!

Recently on the Clinky Connection Facebook page there was a discussion about a china foal I have had since childhood and named Diamond Dindy. 

(This is not my piece; this is the one being discussed on Clinky Connection.)

Folks began posting about theirs or their desire to have one and how they'd been looking for one. Seeing all those black pinto Japan chinas made me feel nostalgic (I am already VERY fond of the old Japan chinas!) and so I found a couple on MH$P, made offers, and added three to my herd.

Victoria Ceramics Glossy Black Pinto Trotting Pony, $12, 5/2014, Lynn Lindgren (has sticker on belly.)

Back side of previous piece.

Japan Black Pinto Head Up Trotting Horse, $23, 5/2014, Lynn Lindgren (partial sticker and red dot on belly)

Other side of previous piece.

Japan Black Pinto Walking Horse, $23, 5/2014, Janet Onderchanin, Detroit area, Michigan. (Possibly Lefton; N856 on left front hoof.)

Other side of previous piece.

China Bison

I saw this piece at Countryside Antiques in Lebanon, Indiana earlier this summer but left it behind. Yesterday I drove down with Lisa to see if it was still there (it was) and do some antiquing. (We did!)

 China bison, $14, unknown make, Countryside Antiques, August, 2013.

I think he's pretty cool!

Metlox/Poppytrail

There are many, many brands of model horses on the market, both past and present. Breyers are easy to tell as are most Hagen Renakers. "Japans" is the term used for china models made in Japan during the 50s, 60s, 70s, and even beyond. Then there are British companies (Beswick, Juleps, Royal Doulton) and other European companies that produce fine china along with an animal line that includes horses. (Can't afford those!)

I've had some pieces in my collection since I was a child that are a bit different. They tend to be chunkier, lighter (they're usually hollow) and have eyeliner-style eyes. I have wondered about them over the years, and think I have finally identified them - they're Metlox Poppytrails.

I don't know much about the company, but yesterday this photo, identified as a Metlox Poppytrail piece, was listed on the Model Horse $ales Page:

(Photo by Liz Strauss. Model owned by Liz Strauss.)

Right away I noticed the similarity to several of my pieces:

A piece I found this spring at Raven's Roost Antiques in Lafayette and purchased for only $3.

Similar eye detail and hooves to the drafter above.

 Falda - a favorite from my earliest days of collecting.

Why? Because she was black, my favorite color at the time, and she had eyelashes!!
Her hooves and paint detail look remarkable similar to the drafter's.

(Photo by Liz Strauss.)

This is the sticker under the drafter's belly clearly says "Metlox."

 This is the sticker under Falda's. It says, "Trimont Ware Japan."

There is also remnants of another sticker under Falda's belly. Could it be another one that said "Metlox"?

And notice that the drafter's sticker only said "Metlox," not "Metlox Poppytrail." Is it possible the two companies merged? Or they both put out a very similar product, along with Trimont Ware?

Certainly something to do a little research on as I document my collection.