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Thursday, May 20, 2021

The Lady in Red

Oh! the lady in red, the fellows are crazy 
For the lady in red
She's a bit gaudy, but laudy 
What a personality.

1935, lyrics by Mort Dixon, music by Allie Wrubel

Most collectors, fellows or not, would be crazy for this lady in red in her saucy scarlet swimwear.  Of excellent china and 5 inches tall, she sits insouciantly in a molded wicker beach chair. 


This rubious beauty is actually a utilitarian powder or trinket box. Underneath, her seat is incised "D.F. 216," as well as with the William Goebel intertwined "G" and "W" under crown and "Dep." The Goebel mark is also stamped in blue.




Saturday, May 8, 2021

Bring on the Dancing Girls!

Certainly any collector would want to bring on any dancer as delicate and delightful as this lovely lass.  Of excellent porcelain and beautifully sculpted and decorated, she is 11 inches tall, not including her wooden base.


Although unmarked, she appears in the 1911 catalog of Dressel, Kister, and Company, confirming not only her maker, but that her base is original as well. This must have been a popular pose, as Dressel offered this luscious light of the harem in a variety of sizes and outfits (or no outfit).


Joining the chorus line are two more Dressel dancing damsels. All have their tresses in coiled braids over their ears and while the gorgeous gal in green has donned a turban, the other two wear their hair in a low chignon in the back. The nubile nude is bisque, while the other two are china. 


Another image from the Dressel catalog. 


A back view reveals that these ladies are equally lovely both coming and going. The details and workmanship are exquisite. For example, the center dancer's outfit has been decorated to give the appearance of sheerness and she is stepping out of her slipper as she rises on tiptoe.


This antique cigarette case carries a nearly identical image. Dressel often copied popular paintings and postcards of the day, but so far I have been unable to locate the original image that appears to have inspired both the case and figurines.