Is this ceramic panther mid century or new

It is 23" long and the number 16 on the bottom was put there by the thrift store where it was found

 

Probably made in Japan.

I had a planter with a similar pose, but not the same, that had a paper label reading "Thames Hand Painted Made in Japan".

But there are a lot of panther figurines that tend to be low and slinky, and it's a crap shoot to say this maker or that.

Mid century likely applies. Are they still being made?

 

I just know they werent trying to get $16 for that ! These made a return in the 80s for a moment and Im thinking this is from then.

 

Ditto.

 

There are several of these listed on eBay as Royal Haeger. I can't verify that attribution but it may be area to explore.

 

Could you show it from the other side? The Haeger book by Dilley has a 24 1/2" and a 25 1/4". It looks like the chin doesn't touch the paw, and the tail ends on top of the back foot, but the angles of the photos are different.