Cute French Pug/bulldog Ceramic Top of Something?

Discussion in 'Pottery, Glass, and Porcelain' started by ValerieK, Dec 18, 2020.

  1. ValerieK

    ValerieK Well-Known Member

    This is something I picked up years ago in a French market, but I still have no idea what it is. It looks like it might fit into the top of something, perhaps a coffee jar, and there is a slot in the head which might hold a spoon. I've never seen anything else like it, and wonder if one of you folks might have an idea of its use. I am guessing its date is around 1930's to 50's, but of course could well be wrong. Whatever he is I think he's great, but need to move him on and don't know how to describe him. By the way I apologise for the strange appearance of my thumb, it's not going septic, it's a trick of the light! French bulldog - 1.jpg French bulldog - 2.jpg French bulldog - 3.jpg
     
    pearlsnblume likes this.
  2. dgbjwc

    dgbjwc Well-Known Member

    Would it work for used razor blades?
     
    i need help and pearlsnblume like this.
  3. ValerieK

    ValerieK Well-Known Member

    Now that's a possibility I had never thought of! It could sit atop a container of new razor blades, and the used ones could be tipped out of the top at intervals to be safely disposed of. I suppose it depends on how big a razor blade used to be; the width of the slot is only 0.7", and the height of the dog, excluding the base, is about 2". I've had a quick search for "French razor blade container" and was surprised by the number of old packets of razor blades for sale, but the containers were all tins or wooden/cardboard boxes a bit like cigarette boxes. Maybe it was a decorative item in a barber's shop, for stylish French customers! I will keep an open mind, and thanks for the suggestion!
     
    dgbjwc likes this.
  4. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

    Something like a Schick injector blade cartridge might fit:
    [​IMG]

    Could also be for more mundane things like matches or toothpicks.
     
    i need help likes this.
  5. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

  6. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

    toothpicks or more likely matches IMO
     
  7. ValerieK

    ValerieK Well-Known Member

    Thanks for all this, I had a fixed idea about the slot being for a spoon which I now think is wrong, used matches, razorblades or toothpicks all seem much more likely. I also agree that he is meant to be a Bonzo dog lookalike, so I looked up Bonzo and found he was most popular in the 1920's, drawn in a cartoon which was popular around the world, so that agrees with a French origin for this, in 1920's or 30's. If I ever find out what he sat on top of and what was put into his slot, I will let you know!
     
  8. Sedona

    Sedona Well-Known Member

    Is it possible there was a lighter in there? I have a Bakelite clock with a lighter on top. I found one online with the lighter removed, and the seller described the rectangular hole on top as a place to store matches. Uh, no. I just don’t have the sense of dimensions of your piece, of how deep the hole is. Most toothpick holders I’ve seen have round holes.
     
  9. ValerieK

    ValerieK Well-Known Member

    The slot is about 1.8cms by 0.9 cms, it would have to be a very tiny lighter, but a long one or it would fall down inside the dog, which is about 7.5cms high. What is your clock like? But you have pointed to something important - why a rectangle rather than a circle? The difficulty is that the dog is hollow all the way down, so whatever was put in the slot would have to be a strange shape. Wait - I've found several Bonzo toothbrush holders made in occupied Japan, although the slot is actually much bigger on my piece, and I am sure it is French. Still, it's an idea, I'll keep searching. Thanks for the ideas!
     
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