This is one of two Robj figurines that I have in my Iconic Edinburgh online shop. They come from a series of four Jazz Band figures made by the French company, Robj.
The two that I have for sale is this one: the Accordionist and another one of a Saxophone Player.
They are the original fine porcelain issues which date to around 1928 - and are both marked to the base with production details. (There are later re-issues by Villeroy & Boch and marked as such - even these later copies fetch high prices for each figure). My ones are the 1920s originals and not any later versions.
The full set comprises of a saxophonist, drummer, banjo player and an accordion player. All are decorated with gilt decorations and with stylised painted faces.
This group is emblematic of the Art Deco period and is considered amongst the most desirable of Robj pieces. The set was introduced to capitalise on the Parisian craze for black jazz music when the black American singer and dancer Josephine Baker took the French capital by storm with her ‘Revue Negre’ cabaret show in 1925.
My accordionist is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks or restoration - there is just one tiny little area of rubbing to the corner of his squeezebox, as photographed.
The accordion player is 7 inches in height – with a width of 4 ¾ inches and a depth of 3 ½ inches. Weight unpacked is 500 grams.
They are certainly top quality pieces of iconic ceramics which reflect the spirit of the Jazz Age.
The full Jazz Band Set is pictured on the cover of the book Le Ceramiche 1921-1931 by Vanna Brega.
Further photographs can be provided on request for serious interest.
Sadly - due to the fragility of these figures - I would not post outside of the UK. Each figure will be posted on its own and carefully packed - using Royal Mail Special Next Day Delivery.