Bawdy Bisques and Naughty Novelties: I Put a Spell on You. . .

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.

Thursday, August 6, 2026

I Put a Spell on You. . .

Because you're mine

Because you're mine. . . .

"I Put a Spell on You," Screamin' Jay Hawkins, 1956

This sensual sorceress, clad only in the barest of baubles and beads, does cast an enchanting spell. She is one of the series of harem ladies by Galluba and Hofmann, wearing elaborate, if exiguous, outfits of molded golden beadwork and jewels. Like some of the series, she is colored only the palest cream with her features picked out in tans and brown, giving her the look of an ivory carving. Just 4.5 inches tall, she is incised under her base "9688." The company used a 9000 series on many of its lovely odalisques.

Bawdy Bisques and Naughty Novelties

Postcard Image

Thursday, August 6, 2026

I Put a Spell on You. . .

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