{"product_id":"schafer-vater-antique-porcelain-miniature-vase-or-match-holder-orange-art-deco-bulldog","title":"Rare Antique Porcelain Figurine by Schafer \u0026 Vater. Miniature Vase or Match Holder. Bright Orange Bulldog","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is another of my very rare Schafer \u0026amp; Vater antique smoking-related collectables. They are all very rare and hard to source and are special items for the specialist collector of these cute little German bisque figures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis one is again e\u003cspan\u003extremely rare. It is a little miniature Art Deco match holder or perhaps a little miniature vase. It takes the form of an angular and stylised Bull Dog. He is bright orange in colour. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe is similar to little dog models made by Schafer and Vater and which took the form of candlesticks - so perhaps this is a wee match holder which would sit on a tabletop with matches in them - to light your candles.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA nice size being 3 1\/2 inches in height and 3 inches wide. \u003c\/span\u003eMy figurine is in good vintage condition - with no chips or damages. Again, a rarer model so this is taken into account with my pricing. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese antique pieces of German smoking paraphernalia are now hard to find, and I have never seen another one like this. It is lovely and displays very well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHISTORY: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 bottle which were distributed in pubs etc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSchafer \u0026amp; 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 \u0026amp; Vater pieces appear without any stamps or reference to their origin, but they are easy to recognise due to their characteristics and unique craftsmanship and unusual design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir wonderful novelty figures were always very popular in the States - and by 1910 the American firm of Sears Roebuck \u0026amp; Co began to import and distribute Schafer \u0026amp; Vater pottery items.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSadly, the firm closed in 1962 and in 1972 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.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Iconic Edinburgh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39280853876800,"sku":"Sold for £145 to the US","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0271\/1902\/6240\/files\/rare-antique-porcelain-figurine-by-schafer-vater-miniature-vase-or-match-holder-bright-orange-bulldog-937.webp?v=1786618927","url":"https:\/\/www.iconicedinburgh.co.uk\/products\/schafer-vater-antique-porcelain-miniature-vase-or-match-holder-orange-art-deco-bulldog","provider":"Iconic Edinburgh","version":"1.0","type":"link"}