(updated 12/6/08)

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 20 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.

Another problem is that old blanks or half-painted pieces salvaged from factories or factory dumps can be cleaned, painted, refired, and passed off as authentic. One German dealer claims that he bought hundreds of figurines from old German factory stock made from the 1930s to 1960s that was unpainted or partially painted. This dealer stated that he has had these figurines painted and fired in Germany. A vintage figurine with a new paint job might be of interest to collectors, but it is not an authentic antique and should not be sold as one!

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. 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.

Mundial Company out of Belgium offers many models of reproduction baigneuses (bathing beauties and naughties), poupees (all-bisque dolls) and demi-figurines (half dolls), all copies of German originals. 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 sometimes poor quality of most of these repros). Mundial does not put its own mark on any of its items, but many pieces it produces, because they were made from molds taken from the antique originals, carry old numbers and marks, and some even have spurious marks. These new "old" items are appearing in antiques markets throughout Europe, on online auctions such as eBay, and even in antique shops and at antique shows, where they are often offered as antique. Mundial continues to churn out new lines of reproductions and the quality is improving. All dealers and collectors are urged to check out the Mundial website regularly to learn about Mundial's newest "antiques."

Mundial Company has even begun producing copies of pieces originally reproduced by the German Doll Company! Go to the Weiss, Kühnert, and Company page to read the rather confusing story of the Weiss reproductions.

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)?

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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).

Painted Swimsuit Bathers




China and bisque bathing belles in painted or molded beach wear.

Wigged Ladies

(updated 6/8/08)


Lovely ladies crowned with locks of mohair.

Black Stockings



Long-legged lasses with stocking-clad limbs.

Harem Ladies



Sultry sultanas and beautiful belly dancers.

Mermaids and Sea Sirens



Finny femmes and ocean nymphs.

Naughties

(updated 12/6/08)

Flirty figurines concealing a risqué secret.

Nudies



Belles in their birthday suits.

Weiss, Kühnert, and Company

(updated 12/6/08)

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.

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