Black Boy Figurine - Gmundner Keramik, Austria.

Hello again,

Here is another of my yard sale finds. A quite unusual figure of a little black boy holding a ball. It is nicely modelled and glazed with a semi-matte black glaze.
The base is marked 2210 over 11. It hollow and made out of terracotta coloured clay. I think it dates to the 1950s/50s and may be German??
It stands 7.5" tall.
Has anyone got any thoughts about who may have made it?
Thanks
Clare

Zell maybe?

This type of figure is a bit of a minefield nowadays. It evokes 'Sambo' and 'Picanninny' (both words which can be highly offensive) derogatory black racial stereotype figurines which are now quite a hot potato.

Hello, I did consider Zell because the glaze looks quite similar, but having looked through all the pieces I can find by them, there is noting similar, so I'm not sure.
I know figures of this type are a bit emotive, but I still think its quite an attractive piece.

I think it’s lovely. It’s not a character like the cartoonish US watermelon eating figurines so I don’t think the negative connotations apply here.

I really cant see how anybody would think its a racial stereotype..although it is a trifle odd..has a slightly uneasy feel to it

Yes, I know exactly what you mean - a little bit too voyeuristic for today's tastes maybe?

Exactly,,but never the less Striking

hi
I think it is Gmundner Keramik, Austria.
best, designdigger

Hi designdigger - thanks for that. Having looked at Gmundner this figure is usually attributed to them, so mystery solved. Thanks so much!

you're welcome

I have a question. Gmunder Keramik is an old factory and I have a few pieces - so is this 30s/40s? or 50s/60s? 70s?

I would assume later based on the colour of the football

Yes I think later - maybe 1950s/60s