A Beautiful 12” Heubach Pair featuring KITTENS AND PUPPIES

A Beautiful 12” Heubach Pair featuring KITTENS AND PUPPIES

THE ARTISTRY OF GEBRUDER HEUBACH…Heubach figurines possess a warmth and humanity absent in other makers. Body language, color choices, facial expression and symbolism factor prominently in the success of his characterizations. Relationships are especially important to Heubach. The firm produced almost everything in pairs. Though each piece is whole unto itself - together they tell the whole story, illustrate an emotion or capture a pivotal moment in a child's lifetime.

THE AGE OF SENTIMENT…best describes the later years of the Victorian Era. More leisure time and comfortable living paved the way to a very expressive society. From scrap books to calendars, greeting cards to trade cards, no opportunity was overlooked to explore a full range of sentimental expression. The impulse to embellish everything form Valentines to death certificates was not denied.

STATUARY WAS NO EXCEPTION…This flush of Expressionism found fertile ground in the artistic firm of Gebruder Heubach who excelled in the production of the figurines so popular in the decor of the 1870’s through 1910. Of all the statuary produced at this time no one else can compare to Heubach for quality, artistry and detail. Apart from his eye for lively modeling and persuasive color, Heubach, a master of nuance, was adroit at capturing the tone of his times. His work is brimming with sentiment discreetly conveyed and with layers of subtext.

THE ENCHANTING YOUNG PEOPLE…offered here, are like three dimensional ‘oil portraits’ in early pressed bisque. No choice of color nor its shading is accidental. As a result, these figures have the depth and detail of realism while retaining his special sense of fantasy. Unlike those figures sold intended to be seen only from the front, therefore left unpainted at the back, this couple is entirely painted front and back and to be enjoyed from any angle. This also expands the depth of the relationship of each figure to the other. These very early pieces are a remarkable 12” tall and very rare. They are extremely impressive wherein every crease and fold in the clothing, every lock of hair and every nuance of facial expression is maximized down to the fully shaped mouths as well as articulated musculature around the intaglio eyes.

THE PUPPY AND THE KITTEN…were widely used Victorian symbols of innocence, youth and affection. In the case of these two matured adolescents, the viewer is confronted by very young adults cuddling and comparing the tenderness of their young pets. These are not young children simply playing with animals. They handle them with the knowing care and the careful tenderness of parents. One is led to wonder if there is perhaps another kind of young affection in the air that exists between the two young people.

MARKS: Early Pressed Bisque unsigned know Heubach figures are incised with the Heubach punch mark…and stamped ‘Made in Germany’ in the circular red ink associated with the firm.

CONDITION: Remarkable stunning large figures still together as the original pair with matching bases. Note that the arms. heads and animals are molded and fired separately then attached to the main body of the figure.

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