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.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Bathing Beauty of the Day; Day 22

Ms. #382 is another luscious lass from the German firm of Galluba and Hofmann.  As large as she is lovely, this bisque belle is 5 inches long and 3.25 inches high.  She is dressed in her original, but fragile, costume, and there are no visible marks.  Her mohair wig is a replacement.  As is typical of Galluba, she displays the finest bisque, modeling, and decoration.

I will not be posting on Wednesday or Thursday, so please check back on Friday!

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