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.

Saturday, May 24, 2025

Spitfire

Another squirter featuring an under-clad damsel and her pussycat, but the look on this rather formidable looking femme suggests she does not appreciate being interrupted in a rather personal moment. Perched on her chamberpot, she holds an equally fierce-looking feline who is ready to spit on any intruder. Atop the lady's bonnet is the opening that would have held the rubber bulb and the water would have squirted out the cat's mouth. Although clearly the double entendre on "pussy" was intended, unlike similar squirters own my collection, the kitty's head rests on her mistress's lap and not between her legs. Three inches tall and of good bisque, this piece is unmarked except for a freehand blue squiggle underneath. 


 

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