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.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Three (Not So) Little Pigs

Two of this trio of big piggies with underdressed riders have appeared earlier on this blog, but the rider on the right, holding a champagne flute in her hand, has now joined the previous pair of porkers.  She is 4 inches long and incised underneath with what appears to  be “6819.”  

 


Although all the pig passengers posture in different poses, the pigs all are the same model. In Germany, the pig is a sign of good luck and prosperity.  A person who is lucky will say "Ich habe schwein gehabt" (I have had pig).  It is traditional to give gifts of peppermint or marzipan pigs known as glücksschweinchen (good luck pigs) at Christmas and New Years.  Considering the bisque belles' state of dishabille and provocative poses, this passel of porkers might better be deemed as "get lucky" pigs.  Here an old German New Year postcard features the same theme of a hussy riding high on her hog.  






2 comments:

  1. Jo BJanuary 29, 2017 at 7:09 PM

    I bought the one with the fan last year in Washington state. Are these vintage or more recent? Approx value?

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  2. Sharon Hope WeintraubJanuary 29, 2017 at 9:07 PM

    Hi Jo! Do you mean the one on the right? I believe she is holding a champagne glass. These are antique pieces, dating around the turn of the previous century; as far as I know, these pieces are not being reproduced. The prices vary a lot on these pieces (right now the antiques market is a bit depressed). However, looking at past sales, I think the larger version would currently sell between $200-$250 and the smaller $150 to $200. If two knowledgable collectors get into a tussle over one of these scarce pig pieces, the price may go much higher. Hope this helps!

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