Q I was wondering if you or someone else in your office could help me identify who made these statues (left). I do not know the mark.
The female has the number 6292 and below this is what sort of looks like a half rising sun with “AA” underneath. The man has the same number 6292 and a full rising sun with “AA” below it (above left).

I believe they are porcelain.

I am looking for who made them and potential worth as they are.
There is a little damage to fingers and bird wings. They are approximately 18-iches tall.

A I could not find any reference to this mark in any of the usual marks books, however, an online search found several examples of your figurines. Those selling online attribute the mark to Arno Apel Studios in Bavaria, Germany, with a date of the 1950s or 1960s.
The website Marks4Ceramics.com lists several Arno Apel Studios marks. However, for the mark shown on your figurines the website says, “Dresden Decorating Studio, possibly Arno Apel, circa 1960s to present.”

So, while there may be some doubt as to exactly which studio made your figurines, online sources seem to agree they were made in Germany in the 1950s or 1960s. We found examples similar to yours offered online in the $50 to $65 range. However, those examples did not have any damage listed. Depending on the damage, your pieces could be worth significantly less.

Q I used this nutcracker (below) as a young boy in the 1950s. It is made of heavy cast iron. The paint is somewhat worn. What can you tell me about it?

A Unfortunately, you did not provide any dimensions or note if there were any markings on your piece. We found two different St. Bernard nutcrackers. One was made in the late 19th century by the Harper Supply Co. of Chicago, while the other one was made in the mid-20th century.

After comparing photos of your nutcracker with the one made by Harper and noting you used yours in the 1950s we believe yours is the later example. The earlier piece had a slightly different head and ear.

Examples of this dog nutcracker sell on eBay regularly.
Many do not get a bid, but the few that have sold have done so in the $40 to $45 range including shipping.