19th Century Pair of Polish/German Stoneware Figures

About the Item

Presenting a lovely 19th century pair of Polish/German stoneware figures. Quite rare! Not a matching pair but similarly themed, with the little girl holding a basket of kittens with one kitten climbing up her front and the other of a little boy climbing a tree stump with a snail at the base. The ‘Little Girl’ is painted stoneware or earthenware and we are of the opinion is Polish in origin (or possibly Russian). It does not have any identifiable markings but it was originally with another similar style figurine (not included in this sale) which had markings that we were of the opinion were Polish markings. The ‘Little Boy’ is painted pottery and we are of the opinion that it is either Polish or German in origin. It is slightly different in style an texture to the girl and has a more ‘bisque’ finish. The facial features are more defined and remind me of German bisque dolls, circa 1880. Provenance: From the Private Collection of a former New Orleans dealer. Condition: Some minor scuffing to the Little Girl through age and use. The Little Boy has some minor scuffing through age and has had some professional restoration to his hat brim and the hat has been re-painted and some professional repairs to his neck. The repairs are good and the piece is not compromised. Dimensions: Little Girl 20.75 in tall, 7.5 in wide and 6 in deep. Little Boy 19.25 in tall, 9 in wide and 7.5 in deep Boleslawiec pottery (English: BOWL-swavietz), also referred to as Polish pottery, is the collective term for fine pottery and stoneware produced in the town of Boleslawiec, in south-western Poland. The art originated in the late Middle Ages, but it fully developed in the 19th century and has continued ever since. Each product is characterized by an iconic blue decorative pattern on a white base background, with alternative touches of green and yellow elements. The scope of the stoneware ranges from teapots and jugs to plates, platters and candelabra. The pottery is collectively known as “Polish stoneware”, as it became one of Poland’s unofficial cultural symbols. Ceramics has been a part of Boleslawiec and the entire region’s history for an extremely long time. Potters and ceramic artists are on record from as early as the 14th century, with the first written record of a potter in the municipal books of Swidnica in 1380. However, archaeological digs have shown pottery and ceramics from the early Middle Ages, and trading patterns strongly indicate their presence at such an early time. Potters from the Boleslawiec area first united into a guild around the start of the 17th century. Most of the earliest remaining pieces date from the beginnings of the eighteenth century. They are characterized by the brown glaze and were usually pitchers or jug type vessels. Some of the vessels are lidded forms with attached tin lids, though many are open. They are wheel made and uniform in shape, and were either smooth or bore a diagonal ridge pattern. Most bear a mark of some kind, usually an individual’s initials and a date. Starting around the middle half of the 18th century the vessels started to become characterized by a natural flowing motif of “sticks”, or a raised design of flowers and leaves on a stem. The sticks were a light white in color, with the surrounding pot usually brown. This added contrast and aesthetic appeal. Throughout the late 18th century and early 19th century the stick motif was still popular. Other popular motifs included the Boleslawiec emblem, the potter’s emblem of Adam and Eve, heraldic signs, and nature motifs like florals and birds. Pitchers, mugs, and tankards were the most commonly produced works. Around the latter half of the 19th century the white clay that had previously been used only for the stick motif started to be used for whole vessels. This was due to the innovation of Johann Gottlieb Altmann, a master potter who was the first to cast dishes instead of throwing them on the wheel. Altmann also used a new type of lead-free glaze that enabled stamping and allowed for new motifs and designs. Most of the more recognizable designs today, like the repeating circles, scales, flowers, dots, and clovers, were created at that time.

Dimensions:

Height: 20.75 in (52.71 cm)Width: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)

Sold As:

Set of 2

Style:

High Victorian (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Pottery,Hand-Crafted

Place of Origin:

Poland

Period:

Late 19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1880

Condition:

Repaired: Some minor scuffing to the Little Girl through age and use. The Little Boy has some minor scuffing through age and has had some professional restoration to his hat brim and the hat has been re-painted and some professional repairs to his neck. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. Minor fading. Some minor scuffing to the Little Girl through age and use. The Little Boy has some minor scuffing through age and has had some professional restoration to his hat brim and the hat has been re-painted and some professional repairs to his neck.

Seller Location:

Dallas, TX

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU3978119623752

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