Figure of the Day: A Victorian Fairing, 19th C.

Porcelain Fairing
Germany, 19th C.
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Fairings were small porcelain objects (boxes, little cups, vases, etc) of a figural design which were given out as prizes and trinkets at village fairs in Victorian England.  They’re relatively difficult to come by these days since they weren’t really as appreciated at the time as they are today.

The body of this Nineteenth Century fairing is of white porcelain with two figures on the base. One shows a seated man in a dressing gown and night-cap while the other is depicts a woman in casual day attire and a hat, carrying a folded umbrella.  A wee chest of drawers stands behind the figures. The front of the base is outlined in gilding, inscribed with “Missus is Master.”  Ha!

This, like most of the fairings used at British fairs was made in Germany.  Of the factories making them by far the most prolific was Conta and Boehme of Pössneck in Saxony. The subjects of these pieces vary from the innocent (playing children or animals or puns) to the saucy (bedroom frolics or the purely suggestive).

Figure of the Day: A Victorian Fairing, 19th C.

Fairing
German, 1887
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Fairings were so-called because they were given out as prizes and souvenirs at Victorian fairs. These porcelain trinkets were often made in Germany for the English market. Here’s another great example of a Nineteenth Century fairing.

The body of this piece is made of white porcelain which has been coated with a brilliant, shiny glaze. The base is typical of these objects—a moulded rectangle fitted with scrollwork at the reverse.

These objects often depicted comical scenes. The group here depicts two women in sporting dress, each on a bicycle. They are about to collide, prompting the caption:A dangerous encounter. 
This fairing is marked :

'1887', 'OM', 'I'

Like most fairings, this one was made in Germany. Many German porcelain concerns had lines of inexpensive fairings, but certainly the most prolific was Conta and Boehme of Pössneck in Saxony.

The firm was established in 1790, specializing in small porcelain pieces such as dolls' heads and, from about 1855-1860, in these fairground trinkets. The subject matter of the figural groups varied from the most innocent (children, pigs, dogs, simple puns) to the frankly ribald (naughty frolics and dirty jokes). Sometimes, the figures would lampoon contemporary politics or society with caricatures or scenes which were considered timely or humorous. The ladies on their bicycles that we see here are demonstrative of that theme.

Figure of the Day: A Victorian Fairing, 19th C.

Porcelain Fairing
Germany, 19th C.
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Fairings were small porcelain objects (boxes, little cups, vases, etc) of a figural design which were given out as prizes and trinkets at village fairs in Victorian England.  They’re relatively difficult to come by these days since they weren’t really as appreciated at the time as they are today.

The body of this Nineteenth Century fairing is of white porcelain with two figures on the base. One shows a seated man in a dressing gown and night-cap while the other is depicts a woman in casual day attire and a hat, carrying a folded umbrella.  A wee chest of drawers stands behind the figures. The front of the base is outlined in gilding, inscribed with “Missus is Master.”  Ha!

This, like most of the fairings used at British fairs was made in Germany.  Of the factories making them by far the most prolific was Conta and Boehme of Pössneck in Saxony. The subjects of these pieces vary from the innocent (playing children or animals or puns) to the saucy (bedroom frolics or the purely suggestive).

Figure of the Day: "Contributors to Punch," a Fairing, Nineteenth Century

Some Contributors to Punch
Fairing, made in Germany,
Nineteenth Century
The Victoria & Albert Museum

I know I've posted this before, but I just like it so much, and it really fits with the day's posts, so here it is again...

The Victorian china objects called “fairings” are small porcelain ornaments which typically incorporated figures either alone or in groups, and depict a variety of scenes--humorous, political or domestic. Such ornaments usually rest on a base which often features a painted caption describing the scene. While most fairings are meant to be simply decorative, they were sometimes created to function as pinboxes, matchstrikers or holders for watches or small mirrors.  China fairings get their name from the fact that they were chiefly given away as prizes at Victorian era fairs starting around the middle of the Nineteenth Century and until the start of the First World War.

This fairing is predominantly a grayish-white porcelain on a rectangular base which is molded with scrollwork in the front, leaving a reserve upon which is inscribed: “Some contributors to Punch.”  This reference to the popular “Punch Magazine” depicts four figures:  one is a man with the word 'Whiskey' written on a band round him, in the center is a punch-pot on a pedestal with a human face, to the left of the punch-pot is a cone shape representing sugar--with legs and a human face. In front of this, we see a lemon with legs and a human face. There are two glasses lying on the floor in front.  This clever visual pun is meant to put one in mind of writers for the famed magazine, but it is, in fact, contributors to the drink called punch.

This was made in Germany in the late 19th century of porcelain painted with enamels.

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: A Victorian Fairing, 19th C.

Porcelain Fairing
Germany, 19th C.
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Fairings were small porcelain objects (boxes, little cups, vases, etc) of a figural design which were given out as prizes and trinkets at village fairs in Victorian England.  They’re relatively difficult to come by these days since they weren’t really as appreciated at the time as they are today.

The body of this Nineteenth Century fairing is of white porcelain with two figures on the base. One shows a seated man in a dressing gown and night-cap while the other is depicts a woman in casual day attire and a hat, carrying a folded umbrella.  A wee chest of drawers stands behind the figures. The front of the base is outlined in gilding, inscribed with “Missus is Master.”  Ha!

This, like most of the fairings used at British fairs was made in Germany.  Of the factories making them by far the most prolific was Conta and Boehme of Pössneck in Saxony. The subjects of these pieces vary from the innocent (playing children or animals or puns) to the saucy (bedroom frolics or the purely suggestive).

Figure of the Day: The Punch Tobacco Box, 1880

Tobacco Box
German, c. 1880
The Victoria & Albert Museum

It makes sense that Punch would adorn a tobacco box. Many smoking-related items featured Mr. Punch. What I find rather queer is the fact that the lid of this German porcelain and enamel tobacco box depicts a child in a pram. I don’t tend to associate children with smoking or tobacco in general. But, maybe that’s just me. Nevertheless, the little girl is a continuation of the theme of cherubic little ladies holding figures of Mr. Punch—symbols of both the angelic and the impish.

This box was made in Pössneck, Germany, ca. 1880 by the manufacturers of Conta and Boehme.  You may recognize that name as the makers of a good many of the Victorian Fairings at which we've looked.  It's entirely possible that this little trinket was a fairgrounds prize, too.  

Object of the Day: An Antique German Fairing of a Westie Driving a Car

I saw this fairing online recently and thought it was, for obvious reasons, something I should have. I’m very grateful that my parents made a gift of it to me. As you can see, this porcelain fairing depicts a Bertie Dog (West Highland White Terrier to the rest of you) driving a wee, green car and wearing a Tuscan red scarf. This kind of item was given out a Victorian fairs as prizes. 

While predominately an English practice, fairings of this sort were often handed out at American fairs of the Nineteenth Century. The majority of them were produced in Germany, mostly by Conta and Boehme of Pössneck in Saxony. As this one has no marks—they seldom did, in fact—I am not sure if this is by Conta and Boehme, but it sure looks to be. That particular olive green car was also used in designs with driving pigs produced by Conta and Boehme. I’d place this as having been made around 1900-1910.

Figure of the Day: A Victorian Fairing, 19th C.

Fairing
German, 1887
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Fairings were so-called because they were given out as prizes and souvenirs at Victorian fairs. These porcelain trinkets were often made in Germany for the English market. Here’s another great example of a Nineteenth Century fairing.

The body of this piece is made of white porcelain which has been coated with a brilliant, shiny glaze. The base is typical of these objects—a moulded rectangle fitted with scrollwork at the reverse.

These objects often depicted comical scenes. The group here depicts two women in sporting dress, each on a bicycle. They are about to collide, prompting the caption:

A dangerous encounter.
This fairing is marked :

'1887', 'OM', 'I'

Like most fairings, this one was made in Germany. Many German porcelain concerns had lines of inexpensive fairings, but certainly the most prolific was Conta and Boehme of Pössneck in Saxony.

The firm was established in 1790, specializing in small porcelain pieces such as dolls' heads and, from about 1855-1860, in these fairground trinkets. The subject matter of the figural groups varied from the most innocent (children, pigs, dogs, simple puns) to the frankly ribald (naughty frolics and dirty jokes). Sometimes, the figures would lampoon contemporary politics or society with caricatures or scenes which were considered timely or humorous. The ladies on their bicycles that we see here are demonstrative of that theme.

Figure of the Day: A Victorian Fairing, 19th C.

Porcelain Fairing
Germany, 19th C.
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Fairings were small porcelain objects (boxes, little cups, vases, etc) of a figural design which were given out as prizes and trinkets at village fairs in Victorian England.  They’re relatively difficult to come by these days since they weren’t really as appreciated at the time as they are today.

The body of this Nineteenth Century fairing is of white porcelain with two figures on the base. One shows a seated man in a dressing gown and night-cap while the other is depicts a woman in casual day attire and a hat, carrying a folded umbrella.  A wee chest of drawers stands behind the figures. The front of the base is outlined in gilding, inscribed with “Missus is Master.”  Ha!

This, like most of the fairings used at British fairs was made in Germany.  Of the factories making them by far the most prolific was Conta and Boehme of Pössneck in Saxony. The subjects of these pieces vary from the innocent (playing children or animals or puns) to the saucy (bedroom frolics or the purely suggestive).

Figure of the Day: The Turtle Tobacco Box, 1880

Tobacco Box/Fairing
German, 1880
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Tobacco and snuffboxes were the perfect excuse for goldsmiths, modelers and jewelers to work together to create strange and interesting compositions.  These boxes often took on fanciful, and sometimes humorous, forms.

Here, from  Pössneck, Germany, and dating to 1880, we have a tobacco box and lid in the form of a naked child riding on the back of a turtle.  Naturally...

The little boy isn't entirely naked, I should note.  He's wearing a colorful crown of feathers and a matching "modesty skirt" as Springfield resident Martin Prince would call it.  Bonus points to you if you get that reference.  

And, in a move that would please our Mr. Punch, he's carrying a cudgel.  I trust he's not going to whack the turtle on his lumpy noggin.

These boxes were marketed to wealthy men, presumably those with a sense of humor.  As odd as this is, it’s also kind of attractive.  I like it, though I can’t imagine that riding naked on a turtle (even with a modesty skirt) would be the most comfortable experience.  I don’t think I’ll try it.  Besides, all of our turtles around here are very small and un-ride-able.  Just ask Bertie.

It was made by a firm called Conta and Boehme.  The firm is best known mostly for making Victorian fairings (little porcelain prizes which one could win at a fair) which also usually took on a humorous form.

Figure of the Day: "Contributors to Punch," a Fairing, Nineteenth Century

Some Contributors to Punch
Fairing, made in Germany,
Nineteenth Century
The Victoria & Albert Museum

The Victorian china objects called “fairings” are small porcelain ornaments which typically incorporated figures either alone or in groups, and depict a variety of scenes--humorous, political or domestic. Such ornaments usually rest on a base which often features a painted caption describing the scene. While most fairings are meant to be simply decorative, they were sometimes created to function as pinboxes, matchstrikers or holders for watches or small mirrors.   China fairings get their name from the fact that they were chiefly given away as prizes at Victorian era fairs starting around the middle of the Nineteenth Century and until the start of the First World War.

This fairing is predominantly a grayish-white porcelain on a rectangular base which is molded with scrollwork in the front, leaving a reserve upon which is inscribed: “Some contributors to Punch.”  This reference to the popular “Punch Magazine” depicts four figures:  one is a man with the word 'Whiskey' written on a band round him, in the center is a punch-pot on a pedestal with a human face, to the left of the punch-pot is a cone shape representing sugar--with legs and a human face. In front of this, we see a lemon with legs and a human face. There are two glasses lying on the floor in front.  This clever visual pun is meant to put one in mind of writers for the famed magazine, but it is, in fact, contributors to the drink called punch.

This was made in Germany in the late 19th century of porcelain painted with enamels.