Postcard Image

Postcard Image
As the Victorian era passed into the Edwardian and Roaring Twenties, a market developed for bisque and china bawdy novelties and figurines of women in revealing outfits. Although now most of these figurines seem more coy and cute than ribald and risque, in their time they symbolized the casting off of the perceived restraints of the Victorian era.

These little lovelies included bathing beauties, who came clad in swimsuits of real lace or in stylish painted beach wear, as well as mermaids, harem ladies, and nudies, who were meant to wear nothing more than an engaging smile. Also produced were flippers, innocent appearing figurines who reveal a bawdy secret when flipped over, and squirters, figurines that were meant to squirt water out of an appropriate orifice.

Most were manufactured in Germany from the late 1800s through the 1930s, often showing remarkable artistry and imagination, with Japan entering the market during World War I.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Bathing Beauty of the Day: Day 11

Ms. #369 is a power box by William Goebel.  Her severe flapper hair, elongated eyes, arched brows, white complexion, and beestung red lips recall silent movie star Louise Brooks. Of ceramic, the box is 4 inches long.  The box is incised and stamped underneath with the William Goebel crown mark and incised “Dep,” “T 579," and "3/0;" it is also faintly stamped  “Germany.” A ceramic cigarette protrudes from the opening between her scarlet lips.

The top of the box lifts off and the cigarette serves as the handle for small pale pink swansdown puff.

1 comment:

  1. AnonymousApril 28, 2013 at 7:20 PM

    WONDERFULLL BOX GOEBELL LOUISE BROOKS...!I LOVED....jozebt@hotmail.com .from Brazil...!!!!

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