Schafer and Vater
In my newest book, Bawdy Bisques and Naughty Novelties: German Bathing
Beauties and Their Risqué Kin, I attribute
many figurines to the German firm of Schafer and Vater. Schafer did not
mark many of its products, so I based my attributions on comparisons of
unmarked figurines to marked Schafer items, as well as certain modeling
characterics typical of Schafer's unique style. Thanks to the generousity
of a fellow collector in Germany, who sent me copies of some Schafer catalogue
pages, I can now confirm that some of the figurines I attributed to Schafer
were definitely made by this company.
One image of a pin dish from the catalogue. . .
and the same pin dish pictured in my book as
Illustration 21-004 on page 89. This 2.75 inch high and 3 inch long figurine
is also incised "3444," the model number listed in the catalogue.
A naughty flipper from the catalogue. . .
and two similar versions, top and bottom, pictured
in Illustrations 34-017 and 34-018 on page 164. Neither is marked, but then,
where could you put the mark without marring the design? The larger flipper
is 3.25 inches high and the other 3 inches.
The catalogue only pictures the front of this flipper. . .
but I know it
is a flipper, because both sides are pictured in Illustrations 34-021 and
34-022 on page 166. The 6 inch tall flipper, like so many Schafer items,
is unmarked. There is also a slightly smaller and less detailed version
that appears to have been made by another Germany company copying the Schafer
design.
This agile bisque belle in black
stockings is unmarked and is 3.5 inches tall.
The
catalogue only shows this Black beauty's "good side." However,
she has a risqué secret, as demonstrated
by an example in my collection, for when she is flipped over, her bare bottom
is exposed to view. Of sharp bisque, she is 3.75 inches long and is unmarked.
This 3.75 inch tall comic pin
dish is incised "3745," the same number as shown in the catalogue.
The caption is typical Schafer humor, indicating that not only are the young
ladies enjoying a scenic lookout, and the observer behind them is treated
to an equally fine view.
and the same pin dish pictured in my book as
Illustration 21-004 on page 89. This 2.75 inch high and 3 inch long figurine
is also incised "3444," the model number listed in the catalogue.
and two similar versions, top and bottom, pictured
in Illustrations 34-017 and 34-018 on page 164. Neither is marked, but then,
where could you put the mark without marring the design? The larger flipper
is 3.25 inches high and the other 3 inches.
but I know it
is a flipper, because both sides are pictured in Illustrations 34-021 and
34-022 on page 166. The 6 inch tall flipper, like so many Schafer items,
is unmarked. There is also a slightly smaller and less detailed version
that appears to have been made by another Germany company copying the Schafer
design.
This agile bisque belle in black
stockings is unmarked and is 3.5 inches tall.
The
catalogue only shows this Black beauty's "good side." However,
she has a risqué secret, as demonstrated
by an example in my collection, for when she is flipped over, her bare bottom
is exposed to view. Of sharp bisque, she is 3.75 inches long and is unmarked.
This 3.75 inch tall comic pin
dish is incised "3745," the same number as shown in the catalogue.
The caption is typical Schafer humor, indicating that not only are the young
ladies enjoying a scenic lookout, and the observer behind them is treated
to an equally fine view.