Lot #59: Pair Rare Antique Conta & Boehme Elbogen Fairing Table Salt With Girl and Boy/Tub (c1860).

Rare antique Conta & Boehme fairing table salt with a little girl and boy, dating to 1860-80, serial number 8539 with Elbogen mark. Fairing is the name given to pieces of inexpensive china that could be won or bought at Victorian country fairs. The fairs of Victorian England were major events where entire communities would take a day out, the fairs evolved over time to become the fun-fairs we know today. The china ornaments known as fairings had their heyday in the mid to late 1800s. The most significant maker between 1880 and 1900 was Conta & Boehme of Possneck, Saxony in Germany. Their fairings are made of solid soft white porcelain and are generally of a much higher quality than those produced by other manufacturers. These delightful figures of a little girl and boy next to a tub with flowers on the outside, has a green glazed body that has remnants of gilt accents. Within the mouth of the basket is a small receptacle to hold a salt spoon. The fairing is in good antique condition. A rare and highly collectable piece. Pickup category timeslot {A}