Featured small bisque porcelain figurine of a baby eating. Please help!

Hello everyone!

I’m new here, and I’m hoping you can help me with something, as I’ve had no luck elsewhere.

In the attached photos/album you’ll see a small bisque porcelain figurine of a baby eating. He was given to me by my mum a couple of years ago, before she unexpectedly passed away recently. She told me all about the figurine and why he was sentimentally so important to her. Unfortunately I have forgotten most of the technical details and can only remember the story behind how she came to own it.

The figurine measures 7cm tall, and 4.5cm wide at the base. It belonged to my great-grandmother who was born in Wales in the 1800’s. She passed it on to my grandmother in the 1980’s and when my grandmother passed away, it became my mothers in 2008. Now it’s my treasured sentimental little thing. So I know the family history, but know very little about it’s history as a figurine. For example…

- how old is it?
- who made it?
- where did it originate from?
- what is he eating?

The last point about what he’s eating is particularly frustrating because she called him her “my little (name of food/item) boy.” I’m pretty sure she never used any words relating to sausage (which is what it looks like). Is it even food? Is it a pastry? It’s just so frustrating that I can’t remember his given ‘name!’

Unfortunately, there is no makers mark, and I’ve come to a dead-end. So if anyone knows anything, I would love to know everything about him!

Thanks so much in anticipation!
Ryan

Figurine of a porcelain boy eating - front by rycariad posted Oct 12, 2021 at 2:37 PM

Figurine of a porcelain boy eating - front rotation by rycariad posted Oct 12, 2021 at 2:37 PM

Figurine of a porcelain boy eating - left side rotation by rycariad posted Oct 12, 2021 at 2:37 PM

Figurine of a porcelain boy eating - back/reverse by rycariad posted Oct 12, 2021 at 2:37 PM

Figurine of a porcelain boy eating - underneath by rycariad posted Oct 12, 2021 at 2:37 PM

 

Hi could it be a teething ring?

 

Welcome @rycariad . I think he could be a 'piano baby', but let's wait for the others.

 

https://www.worldpianonews.com/event/auction/what-is-a-piano-baby/

https://www.carters.com.au/index.cfm/index/4177-piano-dolls-dolls/

 

That’s interesting, but doesn’t sound familiar, sadly. I forgot to include the measurements in my original post.

The figurine measures 7cm tall, and 4.5cm wide at the base.

So too small and light to be a piano baby, perhaps?

thanks!

 

I just went down a weird rabbit hole about historical teething rings/devices and nothing seems to resemble what he’s holding. I can see where the idea may have come from - his cheeks do look very rosey and his left cheek looks larger… but that could be representative of him chewing whatever he’s eating! Curious little thing.

 

It's possible the swelling in his cheek is inflamed gums. For some reason I have yet to fathom, children and animals with toothaches and gum problems were popular from around 1900 through the Depression at least. Given the size I would guess one of the many, many small figurines imported into the US from Europe.

 

I’m still not sold on the teething angle, but I’ll keep an open mind. By the way, I’m in Europe, not the USA. The U.K. to be more specific.

 

Sorry, didn't mean to place you on the wrong side of the pond!

 

Careful, I’m on the right side of the pond!

 

That’s exactly what I thought they looked like too! Considering the figurine is most probably German and from 1890-1910, it seems logical to assume that he’s chomping on sausages. I did know the name of that 2-link sausage but can’t remember right now.

 

different local names. photo shows Bamberger Röstwurst. also Bratwurst etc..

 

PS.
you can also buy them in Israel .
the famous Kosher Sausage King of Basel Marcel Hess emigrated to Israel. he made a normal Swiss apprenticeship as butcher and knows how it's done; a rabbi was around for the religious control etc..
nothing easier than copying a St.Galler Bratwurst that is pure calf meat.
seems he's doing okay; another three butcheries opened with small adjacent restaurants - always sold out year in year out. quality always sells.
http://www.eluna.com/Reviews/hess_JP.asp

 

Could it be a type of pretzel ? Or a special holiday bread ?

 

Could it be a type of pretzel ? Or a special holiday bread ?

 

forbidden !
declared as dangerous weapon by Bush junior.

 

In trying to figure out the context of that cartoon (I'm not from America) I found a story about G. W. Bush fainting while eating pretzels.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/arch...-twists/16ae04ce-fcff-4618-8e0b-49bfde9a02e7/

 

you don't need to be American. all the world laughed about him.

 

Those that didn't weep...