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.

 

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.

It's a Stretch

This sleepy sultana, luxuriating a sensual stretch, represents how many Americans will no doubt feel after stuffing themselves with turkey and stuffing (although, admittedly most Americans would probably not look quite as fetching in a barely-there jeweled bra and sheer skirt). By the German firm of Galluba and Hofmann, she is a variation of a mold used by the company for a bathing beauty.  Decorated in creams and browns to resemble an ivory carving, this undulating odalisque is 8 inches long.  Of excellent bisque, this luscious lady is incised underneath “9724.”

A case up of her face and upper torso.  Her gold and bejeweled top is not merely painted on, but molded as a series of raised dots.