Featured Antique German Bisque figurines… Kpm? Prussia?

I purchased these two figurines, they are numbered 1238, but can’t find information on it. He appears to have a scepter mark as the first underlying blue and she has Pr.. with a heart in pencil. They are 14” in height and amazing detail. Please help to date or let me know if I’m correct with the origin

 

These mantel figurines were very popular during the late 1800's - early 1900s. They were exported to the US from Continental Europe in great quantities and the vast majority were unmarked. Very few records for these pieces survived so it's quite difficult to pin down an exact manufacturer. Your figurines are indeed quite detailed. It's unusual for both pieces to survive in what appears to be very good condition. I suspect these are German but this type of item was also made in France and Bohemia.

I don't see a photo of the number. I'm assuming it is impressed in the base. As for the blue mark it is most likely an internal factory notations. The painters who decorated these figurines were paid by the piece and there was often a code somewhere that signified which worker should be paid for which pieces. The pencil marks may be some type of reminder to the owner of the person who gifted them the pieces.

Sorry I can't be of more help. Others here may be able to provide more information or correct me if I'm wrong about any of the above.

 

Thank you for this information. It is an impression mark on the back. I collect figurines, I don’t have any this tall, they seen to generally come from a mold. Would this be considered a mold?

 

Yes, these figurines were molded.

 

Thank you for your knowledge

 

I have 2 figurines that are strikingly similar. I came across this thread while researching them. Each of mine have the number 28 painted in red on the inside, and an imprinted 1260 (or 1269 -it’s difficult to tell) on the exterior base. My grandmother always thought that they came from what is today Austria, but I think she thought they were older than late 19th/early 20th century, given who they belonged too. If you have any additional information you have found about your figurines, I’d greatly appreciate it if you would share. Thanks!