Lot 221: f - Geschiewes, an earthenware group modelled by Joseph Mendes da Costa circa 1895

modelled as a woman holding a baby, an older woman bending over to look at the child, details painted in brown on a cream ground under transparent lead glaze inscribed monogram and title

height 21cm, width 12,5 cm

Cf. Kunstschrift 1997, p. 48, fig. for a version in grès with similar colours and decoration in the Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam; Leidelmeijer & Van der Cingel 1983, p. 83; Roorda 1929, fig. II

Sotheby's Amsterdam 1998, sale AM0718 lot 164

Geschiewes, ('sweetheart' in Yiddisch) was one of the most popular ceramic sculptures by Mendes, depicting the three stages of life (youth, maturity, old age). The group here offered is probably an early version of Geschiewes. At the start of his independent career in 1892, Mendes da Costa used the kiln of a nearby potter or earthenware factory for the firing of his earthenware objects and figures. In 1898, he had his own kiln built in his studio, after which he started working mainly in grès cerame (compare following lot). The group here offered for sale is earthenware, covered in a shiny lead glaze uncommon for ceramics by Mendes da Costa