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, May 30, 2012

Bathing Beauty of the Week


Little Miss #477 stands 4.5 inches tall on her 1.25 inch tall box.  This sweet young girl is a very scarce child fashion figurine by Galluba and Hofmann.  Of the finest bisque and modeling, she is all original from her long wavy light brown mohair wig to the oval box of textured silver paper.  Behind her is a molded bisque basket, which serves as a support.  Underneath the box is stamped in dark blue with Galluba shield mark over "Germany."  There is also a green and ecru paper label that reads "Loza Y Cristal Canelilla Concepcion Jeronima 13 Madrid." 

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