Black Men wearing French clothes Vase

Has anyone ever seen one of these before? I picked it up at an estate sale today and have never seen one like this. The porcelain on the vase part is very thin - you can easily see objects through it when held up to the light. Does this qualify as a "blackamoor" ?

 

Looks like a spill vase. Likely German. Look for an impressed mark on the back near the bottom. I wouldn't call these blackamoors. I'd probably list them as Black Americana, even though they probably aren't American.

 

Thanks @moreotherstuff Ill look for a mark there. The only mark on the bottom is a tiny gilt brushstroke that looks remotely like a bird or eagle or a couple of letters squished together? Maybe a stylized U with wings at the top sitting on top of a triangle? ANy idea on the age of the piece or when such German Black Americana figures dressed in French clothing would have been imported?

 

Heres another picture of one of the figures, the back, and the marking I was trying to describe and below what may the imprinted marking????

 

Found this on Wiki
Blackamoor figures are sculptures and other depictions of exotic figures, usually African males but sometimes other non-European races, used in European art in the Early Modern period. They occur in various media, often holding a tray or some other container, which was available for practical use. They occur in jewelry, armorial designs and decorative art. They often represent a conceit depicting a symbolic servant, and large examples of about half-size were placed on either sides of doorways, as real footmen might be. These examples were typically in cheaper materials such as painted wood, or plaster.



The gilt mark is probably the decorator's mark.

 

Thanks @clutteredcloset49 so seems this wouldnt be considered "blackamoor". These figures are dressed in fancy French attire and are not symbolized as servants. It seems to be made of fine bisque. Any info on time period or value for this piece?

 

Either the artist never met a black person in his life or these are actors maybe? They all look like Al Jolson with dark makeup, almost silly. What are they holding in their hands?

 

Um...how about Caribbean?

 

I was just supporting more's response.

I agree with his assessment that they are most likely German.
Time period, my guess - turn of the century, 1890 -1910ish.

 

I've no idea but I just HAD to see what that title meant...

 

I can't say that I'm seeing a maker's mark. Sitzendorf did stuff like this, but no doubt others did as sell.

The figures are caricatures, not as blatant as some, but meant to satisfy cultural stereotypes rather than depict real people.

clutteredcloset's timeline sounds good to me.

 

I agree ola402 definitely more typical of inaccurate turn of the century stereotype. Seems these kinds of pieces were produced more than I knew. Each seems to be holding a bowl of rice or similar in their left hand. The right hands look to be poised to hold a spoon or eating utensil but there is no indication that anything was ever there.

 

Dishes of ice cream or a puff pastry......something like that???

Edit: Ooops....almost forgot!! WELCOME Lelliott19!!!! Fun and VERY informative place to be. Someone will usually figure out what is posed as an item in question!!!

 

Yes @Aquitaine so funny that you mention ice cream! My mother insists it is ice cream.

 

Well, they ARE wearing their "sundae best"!

 

Hi,
EEEEKKKKKKKKK, it is spreading now even Bakersgma is doing it. Bennett Cerf is twirling in his grave. First it started with KoT and it spread to Komo now it is affecting this ONE.
greg

 

Too dang bad Benny.

 

Ice cream maybe, but if it is a statement about the south. Grits.

 

Try googling on minstrels. It was the thing, once, for white men to don "black" makeup and perform on stage. Think Jolson.