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ID #SA1221263
FOR SALE
£895
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Pair of Vintage French Earthenware "Carnival" Figurines
For sale by Applecross Antiques
for sale €1,047     $1,137
£895
Applecross Antiques

Applecross Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2010
Browse dealers 210 items
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Id #SA1221263
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Pair of Vintage French Earthenware "Carnival" Figurines

1920 - 1940
Description

So typically French ! This delightful Pair of Early 20th Century Vintage French Earthenware Figurines, gaily dressed in their colourful carnival costumes regard each other from their rocky bases with studied interest, hinting at a romantic liaison in the making. Softly decorated in a multicoloured palette, no Makers Mark, but the underside of each piece impress marked, viz :- The Gentleman ~ o BU 1288 ~ The Lady ~ BU 1280 o . Suggested attributions from our readers as to possible atelier are welcome and will be duly credited.

Sizes ~ Gentleman ~ Height ~ 37.50 cm. / 14.75 inches ~ Width ~ 11.40 cm. / 4.50 inches ~ Depth ~ 13.30 cm. / 5.25 inches ~ Lady ~ Height ~ 38.10 cm. / 15.00 inches ~ Width ~ 11.40 cm. / 4.50 inches ~ Depth ~ 14.00 cm. / 5.50 inches ~ Year ~ Circa 1930

LOVE This Item ? ~ Why Not Make Us An Offer ?

Our Warranty:- Buy it, enjoy it and take good care of it, subject only to these conditions, we undertake to accept this item back at any time and to credit the original purchase price against further purchases.

Just one of the thousands of warranted antiques ~ vintage collectables ~ catalogues and antiques reference works for sale at our main website ~ https://www.applecrossantiques.com

Date of Manufacture

Applecross Antiques has dated these French Earthenware Carnival Figurines to the 1930s.

Independent Date Check ID 09548841
Dealer's Item Date1930s
Sellingantiques Date1930s
Sellingantiques agingItem 90-140 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1930s:
Impressed model numbers BU in the underside: factory casting marks from organised manufacture.
Hollow slip-cast earthenware with round air vents: standard moulded ceramic technique.
Darkened wear on the unglazed foot rims: decades of shelf standing.
Moulded rococo scrolling on the stepped plinths: romantic eighteenth-century historicist styling.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Physical Dimensions
Height
38cm (14.96")
Width
11cm (4.33")
Depth
14cm (5.51")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1221263
Dealers Internal Reference
POVFFCF-55
Dealers Notes

OUR SHIPPING POLICY Reviewed and Updated 01 October 2026

We offer worldwide shipping for all items via Royal Mail / ParcelForce Tracked Express Services at the rates shown in the following table. The shipping cost of each item, which in all cases includes ‘Loss in Transit’ insurance cover, is calculated using a combination of factors. These include the shipping destination selected during checkout, together with the weight, size and value of the item.

Very Small ~ United Kingdom ~ Free ~ European Union ~ £20 ~ Rest of the World ~ £30

Small ~ United Kingdom ~ Free ~ European Union ~ £35 ~ Rest of the World ~ £45

Medium ~ United Kingdom Free ~ European Union ~ £55 ~ Rest of the World ~ £75

Large ~ United Kingdom ~ Free ~ European Union ~ £95 ~ Rest of the World ~ £125

We are pleased to offer a Shipping Fee Discount of 20% to clients purchasing more than one item in the same order. This works in the following manner ~ The highest value item in any order will be charged the appropriate Shipping Fee at the normal rate whilst all other items will benefit from a Shipping Fee Discount of 20%

N.B. :- Please be aware that we do NOT offer insurance against damage in transit ~ Clients requiring more comprehensive insurance cover are therefore advised to seek professional advice and a written quotation from a registered Insurance Broker.

The Packing, Insurance and Shipping Fee, where appropriate, shall form an integral part of the agreed transaction cost. In the event that payment is received for goods but the Packing, Insurance and Shipping Fee remains outstanding, dispatch may, at our absolute discretion, be delayed until such time as full settlement has been completed. Clients will immediately be advised by email upon receipt of such orders in order that such situation may promptly be rectified.

Applecross agree to accept your order subject to your your unfettered agreement to and your complete acceptance of their Terms and Conditions as displayed on the Customer Services page of their primary website, https://www.applecrossantiques.com and which shall be deemed exclusively to form the basis of any Contract of Sale which may be agreed or which may be deemed to arise from the same between Applecross as the SELLER and yourself or your agents as BUYER.

Description
So typically French ! This delightful Pair of Early 20th Century Vintage French Earthenware Figurines, gaily dressed in their colourful carnival costumes regard each other from their rocky bases with studied interest, hinting at a romantic liaison in the making.
“
Softly decorated in a multicoloured palette, no Makers Mark, but the underside of each piece impress marked, viz :- The Gentleman ~ o BU 1288 ~ The Lady ~ BU 1280 o.
Applecross Antiques

. Suggested attributions from our readers as to possible atelier are welcome and will be duly credited.

fig 1. A pair of hand-painted French earthenware carnival figurines depicting a man and woman in colourful theatrical costumes standing on decorative plinth bases.
fig 1. Pair of Vintage French Earthenware "Carnival" Figurines

Sizes ~ Gentleman ~ Height ~ 37.50 cm. / 14.75 inches ~ Width ~ 11.40 cm. / 4.50 inches ~ Depth ~ 13.30 cm. / 5.25 inches ~ Lady ~ Height ~ 38.10 cm. / 15.00 inches ~ Width ~ 11.40 cm. / 4.50 inches ~ Depth ~ 14.00 cm. / 5.50 inches ~ Year ~ Circa 1930

fig 2. A pair of hand-painted French earthenware carnival figurines depicting a man and woman in colourful theatrical costumes standing on decorative plinth bases.
fig 2. Pair of Vintage French Earthenware "Carnival" Figurines

LOVE This Item ? ~ Why Not Make Us An Offer ?

Our Warranty:- Buy it, enjoy it and take good care of it, subject only to these conditions, we undertake to accept this item back at any time and to credit the original purchase price against further purchases.

Just one of the thousands of warranted antiques ~ vintage collectables ~ catalogues and antiques reference works for sale at our main website ~ https://www.applecrossantiques.com

Date of Manufacture

Applecross Antiques has dated these French Earthenware Carnival Figurines to the 1930s.

Independent Date Report ID 09548841
Dealer's Item Date1930s
Sellingantiques dating1930s
Sellingantiques agingItem 90-140 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 1930s:
Impressed model numbers BU in the underside: factory casting marks from organised manufacture.
Hollow slip-cast earthenware with round air vents: standard moulded ceramic technique.
Darkened wear on the unglazed foot rims: decades of shelf standing.
Moulded rococo scrolling on the stepped plinths: romantic eighteenth-century historicist styling.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Height
38cm (14.96")
Width
11cm (4.33")
Depth
14cm (5.51")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1221263
Dealers Internal Ref
POVFFCF-55
Applecross Antiques
Applecross Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2010

Dealers in the old, the rare and the beautiful ~

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Applecross Antiques Profile Page

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A pair of hand-painted French earthenware carnival figurines depicting a man and woman in colourful theatrical costumes standing on decorative plinth bases.
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Archive I A pair of hand-painted French earthenware carnival figurines depicting a man and woman in colourful theatrical costumes standing on decorative plinth bases.

Pair of Vintage French Earthenware "Carnival" Figurines

Archive II A pair of hand-painted French earthenware carnival figurines depicting a man and woman in colourful theatrical costumes standing on decorative plinth bases. View II
Archive III A pair of hand-painted French earthenware carnival figurines depicting a man and woman in colourful theatrical costumes standing on decorative plinth bases. View III
Archive IV A pair of hand-painted French earthenware carnival figurines depicting a man and woman in colourful theatrical costumes standing on decorative plinth bases. View IV
Archive V A pair of hand-painted French earthenware carnival figurines depicting a man and woman in colourful theatrical costumes standing on decorative plinth bases. View V
Archive VI A pair of hand-painted French earthenware carnival figurines depicting a man and woman in colourful theatrical costumes standing on decorative plinth bases. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07711 802159
Location
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
United Kingdom
Verified Since Sep 2010
Items For Sale 210
Items Sold 350
Applecross Antiques
Applecross Antiques
Verified Since Sep 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: Shrewsbury, Shropshire, United Kingdom
Verified
Sep 2010
For Sale
210
Sold
350
A pair of hand-painted French earthenware carnival figurines depicting a man and woman in colourful theatrical costumes standing on decorative plinth bases.
Pair of Vintage French Earthenware "Carnival" Figurines
Ref: SA1221263
A pair of hand-painted French earthenware carnival figurines depicting a man and woman in colourful theatrical costumes standing on decorative plinth bases.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
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Detail View 5
Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDecorative Figurines
  • Period1920 - 1940
  • StyleFrench Rococo Revival
  • MaterialEarthenware, Ceramic, Glaze
  • ColourPink, Green, Cream
  • MotifsCommedia dellarte attire, Plinth bases, Polychrome glaze, Scalloped trim
  • SizeH 38 cm (15 in) x W 11 cm (4 in) x D 14 cm (6 in)

This pair of early 20th century vintage French earthenware decorative figurines dates from circa 1930 in the French Rococo Revival style. The hand-painted ceramic figures depict a man and a woman in Commedia dell'arte attire standing on rocky plinth bases with polychrome glaze decoration. The gentleman wears a pink and white patterned costume with a matching hat, yellow pompoms, and a blue sash, while the lady wears a green bodice and a pink and red skirt with a black hat, holding a fan. Both figures feature a glossy finish and are softly decorated in a multicoloured palette. The underside of each piece is impressed with numbers, showing o BU 1288 o for the gentleman and o BU 1280 o for the lady, with no maker's mark present. The figurines measure 38 cm high, 11 cm wide, and 14 cm deep. These decorative pieces find an ideal home placement on a mantelpiece to bring a touch of French chateau charm to a living space. They stand securely on their shaped bases, ready for display as standalone decorative objects. The figures look towards one another with theatrical expressions, creating an engaging visual pairing. The earthenware material provides a solid structure with traditional ceramic weight. Collectors of vintage French ceramics will find these figures make an interesting addition to an existing display of polychrome glazed earthenware.

Originating in 16th-century Italian theatre, Commedia dellarte characters became immensely popular in 18th-century French culture and European ceramic art, inspired by traditional carnival festivities and theatrical costumes.

These items are typically cast from porous earthenware clay, kiln-fired, and finished with lead or tin glazes painted with polychrome pigments before a final firing process.

Look for maker marks or impressed numbers on the underside of the base, hand-painted details, subtle glaze crazing, and evidence of hand-moulded seams or hollow interiors typical of traditional casting.

Place the pair on a mantelpiece, sideboard, or within a glass display cabinet alongside contemporary art objects to create an eclectic, curated visual focal point.

Dust gently using a soft, dry microfibre cloth or dry soft-bristled brush, avoiding water immersion or harsh chemical cleaners that could penetrate glaze crazing or damage painted surfaces.
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