(updated 6/8/08)
Fakes, Fantasies, Reproductions, and Reissues
After the unification of Germany, original molds from a number
of German manufacturers were discovered in the old porcelain factories in
East Germany, reworked, and used to make a variety of reproductions. The
old skills were not forgotten, and many of these reproductions rival, or
often surpass, the originals in quality. Bevies of these reborn bathers
and their kin are showing up at antique shows and on-line auctions, often
the same figurines being offered over and over again by the same dealers
(a hint for on-line auctions--look at the seller's old auctions and see
just how many other similar sirens he or she has sold over the past month;
if the same belle has been sold before, or there is too much of a family
resemblance among the seller's wares, be very wary!). Granted sometimes
a lucky dealer or collector might chance upon an old display of samples
or a forgotten box or two of antique inventory, but the vast numbers of
these new "finds" suggest a very large and steady supply. It has
been some 16 years since the fall of the Soviet Union and the reunification
of Germany. During this time, all old warehouses have been throughly searched
and the old factory sample rooms long plundered. The claims of suddenly
discovered stashes of long-hidden bathing beauties simply no long ring true.
Fantasy items are also appearing. In the antique field, a fantasy item is
a new item that is presented as an authentic old rarity, but was never actually
produced in past times. Antique molds from different makers are being married
together to create new "antiques." The old German companies would
often take an existing bathing beauty model and remake her as a flower frog
or powder dish. She might be mounted any number of seashore-related items,
such as shells, fish, turtles, or other aquatic creatures. But frankly,
I am suspicious of these sudden discoveries of bevies of bathers incongruously
lying on the backs of such unlikely mounts as polar bears. I also have my
doubts about the sudden appearance of sets of napkin rings, each adorned
with a little bathing beauty, as well as related calendar holders. Sometimes
a dealer's inventory will offer the same identical lady, but molded to variety
of objects, from fish to powder dish. To me, this suggests a new marriage
of old molds.
Other things to watch out for are fraudulent marks. Old company marks are
being reproduced and stamped on new products. These fake marks literally
look sometimes as if they were rubber stamped and are often blurred or unclear.
Many German companies, such as Bruno Schmidt, Carl Schneider Erban, Sitzendorf
Porcelain Factory, and Schafer and Vater, incised their marks. Some
companies, such as William Goebel, Hertwig and Company, Gebruder Heubach,
and A.W. Fr. Kister, did use both incised and fired marks (blue seems to
have been the favored color). A few, such as Dressel, Kister and Company
and Ernst Bohne Söhne, seem to have used mainly fired marks. Every
collector must educate him or herself on the makers and their marks. Also,
these bogus belles sometimes appear smeared with dirt and dust to give them
the appearance of age they otherwise lack.
Not all the reproductions are from Germany. Mundial
Company out of Belgium offers reproduction baigneuses (bathing beauties),
poupees (all-bisque dolls) and demi-figurines (half dolls), all copies of
German originals. Note that many of these reproductions are made to look
worn and dirty, to give these new items the look of authentic age (and also
to disguise the rather poor quality of most of these repros). Many of these
new "old" items are appearing on online auctions such as eBay,
and even in antique shops and at antique shows. Also, doll making is a popular
hobby and many artists are recreating beautiful dolls and figurines with
no intent to deceive. However, unfortunately as molds have become available
to artists here in the United States, more "home grown" new bathers
are being passed off as old by devious dealers. Be sure to check my home
page under Artistic Reintroductions to see some of the molds
currently on the market.
Read all on-line descriptions carefully. If the seller gushes about a figurine's
beauty, collectibility, or desirability, but never mentions age, be wary.
Calling a piece "museum quality" does not mean it is old! And
if the ad says resellers are welcome, then that is a good indication the
seller has plenty to unload.
Below are pictures of items from catalogues or from my collection that I
know are authentic, accompanied by descriptions of possibly new versions.
Sometimes a suspect item may also appear. These suppositions are based not
just on my suspicions and experience, but also concerns of fellow collectors.
If anyone has evidence that a piece I describe as possibly new is indeed
an authentic antique (such as a picture from an old catalogue), then I will
be more than happy to make a clarification. These are my best good faith
opinions based on not only my years of collecting, but also on discussions
with collectors in the United States and Europe. I am not making accusations,
but only suggesting prospective buyers be very cautious. As always, CAVEAT
EMPTOR!
WARNING: Those making these fakes are reading both my book and this web
page and are now copying the colors on the authentic antique pieces. So
don't go just by the color scheme when trying to determine whether a piece
is real or reproduction! When possible, check out the seller's past listings.
Did he or she sell the same or similar "rare" item in the past
30 days? Check out other listings too--is the same "rare" item
suddenly appearing over and over again, offered by different sellers (remember,
Google can be the collector's best friend)?
It has come to my attention that an on-line seller has been attacking me
in his/her listings. S/He has not challenged a single specific piece of
information on my website, instead choosing to slander my person and integrity.
If this seller is indeed selling authentic rare antique items as s/he claims,
then why would this simple little website be of such concern that this seller
uses up valuable advertising space to smear me? Hamlet (III,ii,222) The
Complete Pelican Shakespeare, Viking 1977???
******
Because there are so many reproductions on the market right now, this
page was getting too large and unweildly. To try to make it easier for collectors
and dealers to find the information they are looking for, this page will
serve as the index. Clicking on the title of the category you want will
open a new page with pictures and information (and click on each picture
for a larger image).
China and bisque bathing belles in painted or molded beach wear.
(updated 6/8/08)
Lovely ladies crowned with locks of mohair.
Long-legged lasses with stocking-clad limbs.
Sultry sultanas and beautiful belly dancers.
Finny femmes and ocean nymphs.
(updated 6/8/08)
Flirty figurines concealing a risqué
secret.
Belles in their birthday suits.
After the reunification of Germany, molds from this factory were found and
reproductions of their bathing beauties, mermaids, powderboxes, and flower
frogs are currently being made in Europe. Includes pictures from this company's
original catalogues.
I am picturing this half doll
on this page, because she does not fall into any of the above categories,
but she represents a new, disturbing trend that all collectors need to be
aware of. Mundial Company
is reproducing this half doll, and, unlike their earlier reproductions of
bathing beauties and others pictured in these pages, this reproduction is
of excellent quality with delicately painted features. This picture is an
example of the original antique half doll and is from The Half Doll,
Volume 1, by Marc and Shona Lorrin. The Mundial copy is about 5 inches tall
and is good enough to fool even experienced dealers and collectors. The
china is a little whiter and brighter than that found in the authentic antiques
and the features seem almost too carefully done, lacking the looser, more
exuberant decoration found on old pieces. But these differences are very,
very subtle. This is not a particularly rare half doll, but is desirable
in this large size, and the repro has already appeared in antiques markets
and on eBay. If you look at the Mundial offerings under "Divers"
category (where this half doll repro is pictured), you will find Mundial
has not only greatly expanded its product line, but the quality is definitely
improving. Antiques dealers and collectors need to start asking why Mundial
continues to fail to mark its ever-expanding line of reproductions. If Mundial
wants to avoid accusations that it produces these repros with the intent
to deceive, then it should begin immediately to clearly mark all its products
(with an incised or underglaze mark, NOT an easily removed paper label or
stamp) with its name.
I am picturing this half doll
on this page, because she does not fall into any of the above categories,
but she represents a new, disturbing trend that all collectors need to be
aware of. Mundial Company
is reproducing this half doll, and, unlike their earlier reproductions of
bathing beauties and others pictured in these pages, this reproduction is
of excellent quality with delicately painted features. This picture is an
example of the original antique half doll and is from The Half Doll,
Volume 1, by Marc and Shona Lorrin. The Mundial copy is about 5 inches tall
and is good enough to fool even experienced dealers and collectors. The
china is a little whiter and brighter than that found in the authentic antiques
and the features seem almost too carefully done, lacking the looser, more
exuberant decoration found on old pieces. But these differences are very,
very subtle. This is not a particularly rare half doll, but is desirable
in this large size, and the repro has already appeared in antiques markets
and on eBay. If you look at the Mundial offerings under "Divers"
category (where this half doll repro is pictured), you will find Mundial
has not only greatly expanded its product line, but the quality is definitely
improving. Antiques dealers and collectors need to start asking why Mundial
continues to fail to mark its ever-expanding line of reproductions. If Mundial
wants to avoid accusations that it produces these repros with the intent
to deceive, then it should begin immediately to clearly mark all its products
(with an incised or underglaze mark, NOT an easily removed paper label or
stamp) with its name.