Hard Paste Porcelain Blank. Handpainted Great Horned Owl. Humidor or Biscuit Jar. Arts & Crafts and/or Art Deco Style. Is a hard past porcelain blank that was handpainted a dark chocolate almost black matte color with gilded detailing. There are three centered designs that depict a Great Horned Owl surround by leaves. A gilded stripe / border comes out of each design and goes out to the top & bottom edges of the jar, as well as around the center of the jar touch each owl design. The lid is a large handled top that allows for a small sponge on the interior for placement in use as a humidor. We believe this is original to this piece. The handled top is gilded and is also painted the dark blackish matte color with a gilded border around the edge. History – In the late 1880s through the 1940s, a popular amateur hobby/craft was in vogue, and known as “china painting or decorating”. The items used for decorating originated as “Porcelain Blanks” (white porcelain) and were often manufactured in Europe (France, Bavaria, Austro-Hungarian Empire) and imported into the US and Canada for people to decorate as part of this craft movement. No artist signature is seen and no porcelain maker insignia is found. An incised number “4245” can be seen. An small corner of an old label can be seen on the base as well. We can’t tell what this was. We do believe this was manufactured c. Size: Base alone measures approx. 5-5/8″ tall x 4-3/4″ across at the top. 7-1/4 tall with the lid. No chips, cracks, repairs, crazing, stains can be seen. Both the matte finish and gilded paint show wear from use and age, although there are spots where the gilding is bright and shiny. The artists painted the gilding onto the unglazed base edge and it has worn off from age and wear. This piece was wiped off carefully with a mild soap and water. This set has been wiped off with mild cleaner. This is a great piece for the tobacciana collector, the biscuit jar collector and those that love owls. Very unique with its creative artistry. Review our photos for details prior to purchasing. We try to photograph to the best of our capability. We are not professional photographers. All of our vintage and antique items have been pre-owned for use or display. They may show signs of wear and age. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are happy to assist in a timely manner. Check out our feedback. We welcome & encourage your questions regarding our merchandise. Please do not ask us to end a listing early for a “Best Offer”. We welcome international buyers unless noted otherwise! Thanks for viewing this merchandise!