Lot 334: Pair of Oriental Figures, Signed Kaffsack

19th century. Exceptional, well-executed polychrome earthenware figures of a Geisha with pug and fan and a Samurai with swords-in-hand, signed on base KAFFSACK, and impressed with 593 in the Geisha, and 592 in the Samurai; ht. 33 and 37 in., respectfully.

Joseph Kaffsack (1850-1890), born in Ratisbon, Germany, studied with Hähnel in Dresden. His most notable works are public monuments to two Emperors, William I and Frederich III, both at Giebichenstein, Germany, and six allegorical figures that grace the Leipzig Post Office, Leipzig, Germany. He also made many statues for both public and private buildings, which is a partial explanation for rarely finding his works for sale.

Purportedly, these figures were made for the Japanese Pavilion at the Paris Exposition, in either 1878 or in 1889.

Geisha missing comb in hair.

Property from Collections of John Painter, Cincinnati, Ohio, purchased from Gary E. Young, 18th & 19th Century Antiques, Centerville, Maryland