German Porcelain Figural Group Camel w Bedouin & Lady Vase c 1890

083015-2/RL-780

This is a German hard paste porcelain figural group that has a vase, or spill holder, on the back. The piece is unsigned, so the maker is unknown. The date is the last part of the 19th century, circa 1890.

The figural group is a camel with a Bedouin sitting cross-legged on top of the camel. His lady is to the side and holding up a drink to him. The vase is on the back side, behind the Bedouin. The figural group may have been used as a spill holder, to sit on the mantel and to hold the tapers or long matches that light a fire or candle.

A Bedouin is a nomadic Arab of the desert.

The group is 11 ¼” high, 9 ½” long and 6” wide.

The piece is mostly colored bisque, meaning it is unglazed. However some parts of the camel appear to be glazed, so there is a mixture of coloring techniques.

There are no chips, nicks, cracks or crazing except on the bottom underside, on the inside footrest, where it can’t be seen; there are two places where the porcelain flaked off due to age, and another place where there is a niggle in the porcelain. I show these flaws in the last photo, underlined in red.