Conta and Boehme 'Fairing' circa 1870 - Ref 11
The discovery of 'hard paste' porcelain must surely be attributed to Johan Boggter, a German chemist, as early as 1709.
German, as well as much other Continental porcelain, was a glassy white color, very even, with a slight greyish tint and with few imperfections. It was composed of a primary clay with added silica and felspar and fired at a very high temperature. It doesn't stain, nor absorb water and is translucent.
Fairings were typically not painted on the back, as this saved time and paint, as the fairing would have stood against a wall and the back would not be seen.
Now, what exactly were 'fairings'? Well, these were inexpensive ornaments which started making their appearances in the 1850's and were usually sold at Victorian country fairs. In some cases they were also given as prizes. Conta and Boehme, Springer and Oppenheimer and Sitzendorf, all from Germany, were amongst the largest producers of these fairings. Through their expertese they had developed the method of 'slip' casting and were able to produce fairings in vast quantities. It is likely that Conta and Boehme made this piece around the 1870 period.
Earlier Fairings some times had a 4 digit number impressed on the base,as this piece does, with what looks like '2847'. The pink and blue colors embellished with gold is also typical of Conta and Boehme.
All in all, the fairing is in very good condition. The glaze is still in excellent (it shows some typical 'bubbles' which points to the fact that the manufacturers hadn't quite mastered the art) and the 'blue' colouring is an 'underglaze'.This would stand up against the heat when glazed but other colours would fade. Consequently, the rest of the colours were all hand-painted on top of the glaze as an 'overglaze'.
it stands roughly 10.5 cm high, with a length of 8.5cm and is just over 5cm in width.
Price - R485.00
Shipping R60.00
This is a genuine antique. Please remember the classification of an 'antique' is that it should be 100 years old, OR MORE. There are many articles being offered as 'antiques' when, clearly, they are not.
Terms: We offer a strict three-day approval period from the date the parcel reaches you. Refunds/credits are based on the cost of the article, NOT including delivery charges. Please advise us within this period whether you would like to return any article for a refund/credit. Although we pride ourselves in our packing, the buyer remains responsible for loss, non-arrival or damage to goods being sent to, or returned.
