Need help identifying marking on a clown figurine to determine the maker.?
It's a 10" hobo clown playing an accordion, mounted on wood. It has a hand written marking- "P" with what looks like a rising sun above it. Any idea's?
A similar item to what you describe is at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310039066425
Two other examples are at http://cgi.ebay.com/Ceramic-Clown-Playing-the-Accordian_W0QQitemZ120150903572QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Jim-Shore-Circus-Clown-with-Accordion-MINT_W0QQitemZ330226277958QQcmdZViewItem
None of the sellers mention markings. The image of rising sun does possibly suggest that it was made in Japan. But there would have been specific lettering on it, if made between 1891-1921 See http://reviews.ebay.com/Nippon-Japan-1891-1921_W0QQugidZ10000000000072142?ssPageName=BUYGD:CAT:-1:LISTINGS:5