Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder. . .

 . . .and I think this middle-aged bathing belle is utterly gorgeous. From the firm of Galluba and Hofmann, better known to collectors for their slender bathing beauties, this more mature matron is beautifully sculpted, capturing every well-earned roll and wrinkle. 

As you who've followed this blog know, I am very cautious about the use of the word "rare," but I think the term can be used to describe this delightful dowager. She joins her sister, already in my collection. While the new addition has molded brown hair with slight washes of gray and a molded bathing cap, my other example wears her original mohair wig, also touched with gray, and her original net bathing suit. 

Together they appear to be critically critiquing fellow beachgoers. . . 

. . . perhaps something along these lines.

Both sisters are 5.5 inches long and 4.75 inches high. Although the sister in swimwear has no visible marks, her nude sibling is incised on the bottom "80423 TT."

Both grande dames are pictured on this page from the Galluba catalog. The belle in the beehive and net swimsuit is featured on the second row with the model number "T80423TT." In the center of the bottom row is another lady of a certain age in what appears to be black lace bathing attire and molded hair and bonnet, perhaps edged with a bit of lace, with the model number "80423TTA." The additional letters may have been provided so that potential buyers could clearly indicate which model they were ordering.

Both ladies have their right hand folded behind their hip. Perhaps they were caught in mid-gesture as they were placing the hand on that hip, but I like to think that they are secretly signaling that cute cabana boy.

These senior sirens with their very realistic modeling are very different from the typical Galluba bathing beauties with their idealized cameo faces, tiny heads balanced on often too-long necks, wide shoulders, breasts that stand up like two scoops of ice cream regardless of the pose, and long legs and arms often out of proportion to the body. Despite their beach wear, the average Galluba bather has the palest complexion, while these two are deeply tanned. Featured earlier on this blog is another rare example from Galluba, the handsome beach beau. He shares the same detailed anatomy, expressive features, and bronze tan. I wonder whether these two models were sculpted by the same designer.

A close up of their unique faces. They in fact appear to be exchanging a meaningful glance. Perhaps that cabana boy has just lost his tip!