All Tied Up in a Bow

In this season of gift wrap and ribbon, this beautiful belle adorned a big blue bow is most timely.  By Galluba and Hofmann, she is an unusual molded hair version of a wigged model.  Earlier this blog featured a series of bisque half dolls by Galluba with either wigs or molded blue hair bows and this factory appears to have done the same for some of its bathing belles.  Of excellent bisque, this beribboned beauty is 2.25 inches high and 3.25 inches long.  Underneath she is incised with a "400" number obscured by an air hole.

A close up of her face shows the typical Galluba features, including intaglio eyes with white highlights.

Here she poses with a larger wigged version.

This page from a Galluba catalog appears to feature lovely lasses with molded hair ornaments in the lower right corner.

Prima Ballerina

This beautiful bisque ballerina by Galluba and Hofmann is 7.25 inches high and 6 inches long.  A hole in the sole of her left foot fits over a supporting rod, allowing her to pose gracefully on tip toe.  She is unusual not only because of her pose, but also because she comes clad in a molded bustier, but no other undergarments. I added the tutu made out of antique gold mesh lace to cover her naked nether regions and maintain this delicate dancer's dignity.  The wood base is not original; she may have once posed on a pincushion, candy box, or bisque base.

A close up of her extraordinarily lovely face.  This ballet belle wears her original mohair wig

The Mystery Deepens

Earlier in this blog I posted about a mujer de misterio, a señorita from Spain who at first glance appeared to be a fashion figure from Galluba and Hofmann, but in fact was a replica made of plaster.  She now has a sister, also from Spain.  This lovely lass also has a mohair wig, which in this case appears to be original, arms jointed at the shoulders, and molded off-white combination underwear ending just above knees.  Standing on her base, she is 16 inches tall.

She has all the charming characteristics of a Galluba gal, including the perfect oval face, large intaglio eyes, the long slim neck, and surprisingly wide shoulders.  

Her elegant outfit of velvet and lace appears to be all original and is beautifully made.

Underneath are several petticoats trimmed in fine lace and lace knickers with delightful ribbon garters (one could argue this is superfluous as she has molded underwear underneath, but I am glad that her mysterious maker made this extra effort!).  The right or left foot slightly forward is common to Galluba's fashion ladies, but the dainty little feet with multi-strap pumps are not typical footwear for Galluba ladies, who tend to have footwear with elongated toes so that the tips of their shoes are often visible under the hems of their long Edwardian skirts.  Perhaps a little artistic license by her unknown creator?

Her base, trimmed in lavish red velvet and gold braid, is the top of a round box (the bottom is lost to time).  The only mark is “2270/60” in pencil written inside the lid.  One wonders if the box held sweet treats or perfumed power.  Whatever its contents, this must have been some gargantuan  gorgeous gift!  This lady and her lacy outfit are in wonderful condition considering time and the fragility of the materials.  Clearly someone treasured this beautiful box-lid belle for many, many years. 

Spanish craftsmen for centuries have created religious figures and icons out of wood and plaster.  It appears now that sometime in the early 1900s a Spanish artisan decided to branch out into more modern mannequins to adorn shop windows and gift boxes and used the bisque belles of Galluba as a model.  Perhaps someday a catalogue, advertisement, or business card will come to light to help solve the mystery of these lovely ladies of Spain. 

Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May,

Old Time is still a-flying;

And this same flower that smiles today

To-morrow will be dying.

Robert Herrick (1591-1674)

I took this picture for another project, but I liked it so much I decided to include it on my blog.  Both bisque bathing beauties are by Galluba and Hofmann and have their original net bathing suits; the more mature lady, a bathing belle fully deserving of the much-abused adjective "rare," has her original wig as well.  Her expression seems to say, "Let's just see how cute you'll be in another 30 years, buttercup."

Wearing Baubles, Bangles, and Beads

Baubles, bangles,

Hear how they jing, jing-a-ling-a,

Baubles, bangles,

Bright, shiny beads.

Sparkles, spangles,

My heart will sing, sing-a-ling-a,

Wearing baubles, bangles and beads.

I'll glitter and gleam so,

Make somebody dream so,

That someday he may buy me,

A ring, ring-aling-a,

I've heard that's where it leads,

Wearing baubles and bangles and beads.

Kismet, 1953 musical by Robert Wright and George Forrest

This sultry sultana, glittering and gleaming in her molded baubles, bangles, and beads, would be the dream of any collector.  By the German firm of Galluba and Hofmann, this enticing odalisque is only 2.25 inches high.  She is faintly incised "9000" under her hips.

Despite her small size, she has the same excellent bisque and exquisite detail that Galluba lavished on on its larger ladies.

Hand in Glove

I send to you a pair of gloves.

If you love me, 

Leave out the "G"

And make a pair of loves.

                           

Throughout Western history, gloves have been associated with love. In the age of chivalry, a fair damsel might give her chosen knight a glove as a token of her love and fidelity, which he would proudly display in his belt or wear on his helmet.  Presenting a woman with a pair of fine gloves, especially if they were perfumed, was a sign of courtship and even betrothal.  The preceding poem appeared in Elizabethan times and continued to be quoted in some form in love notes and Valentine cards through the Edwardian era.  Perhaps this lithesome lady with her shy smile has just received the pair of gloves she holds from an ardent admirer.  Incised on the back of her base "406” and “E,” this  5.5 inch tall bisque belle is by the German firm of Galluba and Hofmann.  She wears her original brunette mohair wig and at one time would have been garbed in a fashionable Edwardian gown of real silk and lace to cover her molded undergarment.