Mallard Duck Ceramic Wall Pocket Pair, Occupied Japan, 1940s

Pair of mallard duck ceramic wall pockets.

Mallards are “dabbling ducks", which is just the best name for a kind of duck, but simply meaning that they feed in the water by tipping forward and grazing on underwater plants.  Easily identifiable, male mallards have a dark, iridescent-green head, bright yellow bill, and a white-bordered, blue patch on the wing, similar to the stylized markings on this pair in flight.

In the wake of the Second World War, U.S. troops occupied Japan from September 1945 through April 1952.  The Japanese ceramic industry was revitalized with aid from the United States during this time when manufacturers began producing decorative items for sale to the occupying American soldiers.  As a result, a thriving export business was born and these specially-marked decorative Japanese ceramics found their way into the homes of Americans through the early 1950s.

Ducks were all the decorating rage in the middle of the 20th century, popular as planters, vases, wall hangings and wall pockets (especially when in flight!), salt and pepper shakers, and tabletop figurines. 

Each mallard in this set measures approximately 5 1/4" long x 4" tall x 1" deep, making them the perfect size to tuck into a special spot whilst bringing in a bit of the great outdoors.