This is another of my very rare Schafer & Vater antique collectables.
It is one of a series of quirky figures by S&V that I have for sale in my online shop.
They are all very rare and hard to source and are special items for the specialist collector of early 20th century Schafer and Vater porcelain models.
This little figure is a rather rare and a most collectable one - reflected in my price here.
The model is a comical figure of a monk. He is shown wearing his brown cassock tied around the middle with a cord. In one hand he holds a pint of beer - I think that he might have had a few already - as he has a slightly drunken expression on his face. His head nods and when he does - his tongue darts to and fro out of his mouth.. where on earth did Schafer and Vater get all these silly ideas for these figures from. He also acts match holder - there is a wee open pot at his side for you to put your matches in.
Height: 4 1/4 inches.
It is in good vintage condition.
These antique pieces of German porcelain novelties are now hard to find.
Displays very well. POSTAGE WOULD BE WITH UK Royal Mail Tracked - this would cost £4.95. Postal discounts would apply - any overpayment in postage would be refunded. to you.
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.