Pair of vintage Mexican Tonalá ceramic ducks with brass accents, shown side-by-side against a soft neutral background.
Vintage Tonalá ceramic ducks from Mexico, hand-painted in blue and tan, displayed at a slight angle to show detailed plumage.
Hand-painted Mexican Tonalá duck figurines with brass bases, shown from a three-quarter angle highlighting their expressive patterning.
Vintage Tonalá ceramic and brass duck figurines styled as bookends beside a stack of colourful books for a playful home décor vignette.
Pair of vintage Mexican Tonalá ceramic ducks with brass accents, shown side-by-side against a soft neutral background.
Vintage Tonalá ceramic ducks from Mexico, hand-painted in blue and tan, displayed at a slight angle to show detailed plumage.
Hand-painted Mexican Tonalá duck figurines with brass bases, shown from a three-quarter angle highlighting their expressive patterning.
Vintage Tonalá ceramic and brass duck figurines styled as bookends beside a stack of colourful books for a playful home décor vignette.

Vintage Mexican Tonalá Ducks

$135.00

Oh these ducks are purely adorable. A sub-style of vintage Tonalá pottery - a form of hand-painted Mexican folk art - they use mixed media to incorporate brass accents. They’re vibrant, glossy and full of character. They even feel like they have their own personalities, no doubt helped by their slight difference in size.

They are also ageing better than most, with their overall patina adding beautifully to their charm. Never polish their brass, the warming brass tones complement their bright glaze so well. Interestingly, they are also showing small areas of rust, likely the natural result of the combination of brass and the porous clay beneath. I find this totally magical - it only adds to their appeal. See? Totally adorable.

Oh these ducks are purely adorable. A sub-style of vintage Tonalá pottery - a form of hand-painted Mexican folk art - they use mixed media to incorporate brass accents. They’re vibrant, glossy and full of character. They even feel like they have their own personalities, no doubt helped by their slight difference in size.

They are also ageing better than most, with their overall patina adding beautifully to their charm. Never polish their brass, the warming brass tones complement their bright glaze so well. Interestingly, they are also showing small areas of rust, likely the natural result of the combination of brass and the porous clay beneath. I find this totally magical - it only adds to their appeal. See? Totally adorable.

  • Duck 1 - Big Brother
    Height: 10.5cms
    Length: 12cms

    Duck 2 - Little Sister
    Height: 9.5cms
    Width: 11cms

    They are a mix of ceramic and brass, with the brass covering the base, chest and back.

  • The overall condition of these ducks is very good.
    There are no cracks, chips or scratches but they do show the expected signs of age, including a soft dulling of the bronze and some brown oxidation marks in areas of the ceramic paint. These only add to their overall character and are not a reflection of their structural condition.

  • These are purely decorative and absolutely deserve to be on display. They’re the type of pieces that make you smile when you see them - they just are delightful - so place them somewhere you’ll notice them every day.

    Think too about the colours around them. A softer palette of whites, pinks or neutrals would help their blues and brass stand out beautifully. They’re gentle pieces, and a softer palette will help them feel right at home.