This is a rare survivor and in such lovely condition.
This is an antique bisque figurine made by Schafer & Vater, c 1910.
It is entitled on the base: Mr Bass. Like all my other figurines - it is very detailed - and comes from the Opera Singer Set of Elongated Figures. He is singing at the opera and is shown in his black tuxedo. He holds his libretto - and is singing with his mouth wide open throwing a note.
It is one of a range of quirky bisque porcelain figurines that they made at the beginning of the 20th Century.
This elongated figurine 7 1/2 inches in height - and is impressed with the number 2572.
I have a rare series of these "Skinnies" figurines for sale - they are all in excellent condition with no damages, losses, or condition issues. Mr Bass is a harder to find model out of the set - and this is reflected in my asking price for this rarity.
The damage-free condition and relative rarity of these elongated figures are reflected in my asking price here.
HISTORY: The company was founded by Gustave Schaefer and Guenther Vater in Germany in 1890. By 1896 the business was so successful that they were able to expand to the List Porcelain Factory at Neuhaus.
The company aimed at producing high-quality items in hard-paste porcelain - and it made luxury items, including figurines and dolls' heads. They also produced a range of soft-paste porcelain items such as small liquor bottles which were distributed in pubs etc.
Schafer & Vater were better known for their comical and figural items. They manufactured these in teapots, jugs, creamers, bottles, match strikers, and planters, with a backstamp impressed with a crown above an 'R' in a star. 'Made in Germany' was sometimes stamped in black. Occasionally, Schafer & Vater pieces appear without any stamps or reference to their origin, but they are easy to recognize due to their characteristics and unique craftsmanship and unusual design.
Their wonderful novelty figures were always very popular in the States - and by 1910 the American firm of Sears Roebuck & Co began to import and distribute Schafer & Vater pottery items.
In 1913 Paul Schafer had taken over from his father and, working alongside Gunther Vater, built up a successful workforce of around 200 people. In 1918 the factory was destroyed by fire and they set up a new factory to resume production.
Sadly, the firm closed in 1962, and in1972 the East German government assumed full control of the vacant factory, and their records and moulds were destroyed - so no further figures could be produced.