Sweet Old Hand-painted Japanese Export Mini Pitcher (Used as Ink Pot) with Dog and Bird 100% horsehair Clearly these are coal miners

Clearly these are coal miners having emerged from the deep in the mine

with a few small surface scratches on the interior

and how can you beat those striped socks

measures only about 1/2 inch

Sweet Old Hand-painted Japanese Export Mini Pitcher (Used as Ink Pot) with Dog and Bird 100% horsehair Clearly these are coal minersA miniature pitcher, made in Japan, which was clearly used as an ink pot, though I might guess it was made as part of a serving set for a doll (?) Hand painted, with lustre glaze, and for me all about the very excellent dog sitting atop red ball, and the red and green bird too, which looks to be loudly squawking. Better in person, a charming little thing. 1 13 16 t ; 2 1 2" across handle to spout. Ink stained all over, which I have not tried to clean.