Infant of Prague Planter Value Guide

This mid-century ceramic planter depicts the Infant of Prague in traditional royal vestments, holding a globus cruciger. Produced in Japan during the 1950s and 60s, these functional devotional items represent a unique era where religious iconography met household utility.

What Is Infant of Prague Planter Worth?

The typical price range for Infant of Prague Planter is $25 - $28 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the gold paint, which is prone to rubbing and wear over time.
• Presence of any chips or cracks in the delicate ceramic crown or fingers.
• Crazing in the glaze, which can occur due to age and moisture exposure from use as a planter.
• Completeness of the original manufacturer markings or stickers.

How to Identify Infant of Prague Planter?

• Look for the 'Made in Japan' stamp or foil sticker on the unglazed ceramic base.
• Check for the characteristic 16th-century style royal robes and crown finished with gold paint accents.
• Verify the presence of a hollow pocket behind or integrated into the figurine designed for small plants.
• Examine the glaze for the typical high-gloss finish common in mid-century Japanese exports.

History of Infant of Prague Planter

The Infant of Prague is a 16th-century Roman Catholic wax-coated wooden statue of the Child Jesus holding a globus cruciger, located in the Discalced Carmelite Church of Our Lady Victorious in Prague. During the mid-20th century, particularly the 1950s and 60s, ceramic versions of the statue became popular household devotional items. This specific version is designed as a pocket planter, a common decorative functional hybrid of the era.