TWO RUSSIAN GARDNER BISCUIT PORCELAIN JEWISH FIGURES.

Moscow, design c. 1880 and cast c. 1890

A realistically modeled bearded Jewish man with frock-coat, yarmulke, necktie and spats, resting his right hand on an umbrella. Accompanied by: Jewish woman wearing cape and headscarf, carrying a bundle on one arm and packet in the other. Both stand on mossy green base. Marked with red printed factory insignia. Height: 8.5 inches.

Uncommon for these two figures to be available as a pair. The Gardner Porcelain Factory was established in 1766. In the early 19th century, the factory moved to the production of sculptures from which it gained wide prestige. For another example of this Jewish couple offered at auction, see Sotheby’s Tel Aviv, Judaica, April 15th, 1998, Lot 380.