Vintage Shiwan Mudmen Figurine

Vintage Shiwan mudmen game players, stamp on the bottom reads "CHINA" and a number. This piece is most likely from the 1950s-60s. The tiger in the 3rd photo is also a mudmen piece and it is available in a separate listing for $18.

Shiwan refers to an area in China that has a long history (5,000 yrs+) of pottery-making. Mudmen were originally created to populate miniature landscape designs, or penjing, providing life and narrative to a scene. Later, they became popular in bonsai, adding scale and character. Note that clothing is glazed, while faces and hands are unglazed to mimic natural texture.