ID help please: ceramic polar bear figurine

Tribe....
This is one of those "estate box" finds. I know it is old, like earlier than the 1930s. Google Images doesn't return any matches; some are sortof close but no cigar. The glaze has crazed almost all over and is smooth and still shiny. Carefully made and quite heavy at nearly 350g/11oz. Rough dimensions are 85mm high, 90mm long, 70mm wide. The bear feels solid. The plinth/ base may be hollow(?), and the 'hole' is filled. No maker's mark, although there is the barest suggestion of either "made" or "ode" just above the top of the hole. I've spent more than a few hours on it with no progress. Have at it!

 

I, too, see MADE IN above the hole. Have you tried rubbing a little cinnamon over it to see if you can make out the third word?

 

No, I hadn't as I did not know about that technique! Tried it, and it didn't seem to make a huge difference. Thank you for the tip though.

 

It is possible that it was filled to make it weighted. Could it be a bookend ?

 

I wondered that too. This is a different pose but similar, they say plaster filled and marked made in Japan.

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-porcelain-polar-bear-bookend-77729793

 

That's a good point. It could be used as a bookend (bear's rear up against the books), but it's not that big: 9cm long x 8.5cm high. They'd need to be small and light books. The Worthpoint image is _very_ similar to this one, same colouration, same style of base. Pity there's not more specific info, or some way of getting the ebay seller info.

 

Many book ends i have had over the years were not very efficient at holding up books.So yes, probably for children's books.

 

There are hundreds of polar bear bookends online and most do not look like they would hold up very heavy books. Just very popular.

 

I found a set with additional information and photos though a bit fuzzy. The seller says Occupied Japan but I think the printed mark might read Made in Japan Handpainted.





https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-art-deco-art-pottery-polar-441383334

"These were made especially for The Broadway department store. When a department store had items commissioned for them to carry in their store they were usually done by top companies and artist. Hand painted in Occupied Japan. These Polar Bears are a light yellow in color with a green and icy color. They are standing on pieces of an iceberg. These are really a perfect example of art pottery being related to animals. These Polar Bears look so life like. They are 5 inches tall at their highest point and 3 inches wide at a measurement from the iceberg."

 

I think @say_it_slowly is right, I had the devil of a time TRYING to make that VERY FUZZY mark on the bottom of the bears she found any clearer.......I honestly DON'T think I did at all!!!! It's just a bigger, VERY FUZZY mark!!!!

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