Tennis Madame Figurine with metal on wooden platform - No Pottery Mark

by Michelle
(Macon, Georgia, USA)

Tennis Madame Figurine with metal on wooden platform - No Pottery Mark:- Hi Peter, I am not sure what I have here. Is it a vintage item or mass produced like some of the modern figurines. It appears to have some age to it. I can not determine if it is a mold or if it is actually handcrafted. It is an item I collected from a thrift store. I was hoping you or someone could help identify the craftsmanship.

Possibly chalkware or ceramic with no marking. Figurine is 9-1/2" TALL and 5" wide on a circular wooden platform. There is noticeable damaged to one of the legs which is how I found the metal used for the frame. Also the elbow has a hairline. With my research I found an item on Ebay describing a figurine as made by the French claiming their pottery was made using metal. I can not find anything to back that claim.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You

Michelle

reply by Peter (admin) below - just scroll down...

HOW I MADE MONEY FROM BITS & BOBS OF OLD CHINA .....more

Reply by Peter (admin)

To:- Tennis Madame Figurine with metal on wooden platform - No Pottery Mark

Hi Michelle

Thanks for sharing your photos.

According to my eye, the modeling is cute, but not in the top draw, but not too bad either (it is strangely anomalous and therefore interesting). It could be anything from 1960's to present day, for me, not earlier.

Without running my nail down it to see if it is chalk or resin (much harder and not chalky), I can say the construction sounds like plaster of paris, suggesting more mass production, but something tell me not mass production. It is a very interesting item.


Here's my guess, as usual I could be wildly inaccurate. US or European sculpting (not a Far East sculptor, although could be made over there maybe) design from 1960's in a 'retrospective' style from a company not large like Enesco, but developing and possibly still small at that time. There is ambition and skill, but not totally fulfilled.

More than that, you would have to ask an expert china appraiser, or wait for more knowledgeable other to pitch up on the forum.

As for valuations, the following page is a 'must see' if you are researching fine china - for value and identification:-

Researching the identity and value of antique and vintage fine china.

Any connection with a collectible firm or artist and also a rarity factor, would put the price right up there. One of my rare ones from the 1990's just went on ebay for close to £1000 GBP UK sterling (times by 1.6 to 1.8 for USD).

Normally, it is actually quite easy to get a feel of the value of your wares yourself just by looking online in the right places - but not with yours, I fear. I tell you about this on my vintage and antique china values page. You can also take the opportunity to liaise with experts on that page.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,

Peter (admin)

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