(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)?
******
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 12/6/08)
Flirty figurines concealing a risqué secret.
Belles in their birthday suits.
(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.
