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, January 29, 2013

I (Still) Need a Man!

As those of you who have followed this blog know, I am always on the lookout for a man -- or at least the male version of the German bathing beauty, those hunky beach boys in bisque.  So, when I saw this advertisement from Barbara's Dolls in the February 2012 issue of "Antique Doll Collector," my heart pounded with anticipation!


Alas, it was not to be, for another had already claimed him and his two companions.  The trio is by William Goebel, and while I do have the scarce Goebel sultan, this is the first time I have seen a male bather from this company. The blue and white striped suits are typical of Goebel.


The elusive gentleman with his flattened bottom for secure seating, gesturing hands, and long legs resembles this Goebel gal, clad now only in her molded underwear.  There are several different poses in this very hard to find series.  One wonders if Goebel modified a mold from this series to create the above beach boy.


A closer view of her face shows the painted lashes under the eyes, a detail sometimes found on Goebel fashion ladies and half dolls.  She also has the rather prominent nose typical of many Goebel ladies.  As I have noted before, Goebel's ladies, while equal in quality to their contemporaries from Galluba and Hofmann and A.W. Fr. Kister, often fail to match the cameo-like loveliness of Gallubas or the striking beauty of Kisters.  However, look at this laughing lady's expression.  What Goebels may lack in looks, they make up for in personality!

So, I continue my search for the perfect (bathing beauty) man!  If anyone comes across one, let me know.  I have over 500 lovelorn ladies who would make him most welcome!

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