A charming vintage Japanese dorei (土鈴) clay bell in the form of a wild boar, crafted by Yakushigama (薬師窯), a renowned Japanese ceramic maker celebrated for its traditional decorative pottery and auspicious figurines.
This delightful piece features a rounded, playful silhouette finished in soft white, with a bright blue snout and hooves, expressive black eyes, and delicately sculpted ears.
Yakushigama (薬師窯) is a Japanese pottery maker based in Seto, Aichi Prefecture, one of Japan's historic ceramic production centres. With roots in a pottery tradition spanning more than 1,000 years, the workshop is particularly recognised for its charming zodiac animals, maneki neko lucky cats, and other auspicious ornaments. Its creations combine traditional Japanese symbolism with colourful, approachable designs, preserving the enduring appeal of Japanese folk-inspired ceramics.
In Japanese culture, the wild boar (inoshishi, 亥) is one of the twelve animals of the Japanese zodiac (eto, 干支). It symbolises courage, determination, perseverance, and the strength to move forward despite obstacles. The boar is also traditionally associated with protection and good health. Zodiac boar figurines are often displayed as lucky charms or exchanged as meaningful gifts, particularly during the Year of the Boar.
Size: 9 x 4 x 7cm
