Quartermaine Hall

Artisan: Robert Olszewski
Date: 1981
Inscriptions: stamped, dated and numbered ‘Goebel USA ’81 600P’ and with artist’s stamped ‘signature’ ‘Olszewski’ (on the underside)
Dimensions: 25 x 19 x 12 mm. / 1 x ¾ x ½ inches (height x width x depth)
Intended Room: Breakfast Room
Inventory number: 2022.218
Category: Figurines

Provenance: Purchased on eBay in May 2022.

Literature: Dick Hunt, The Goebel Miniatures of Robert Olszewski: An Authoritative Reference & Price Guide, Satellite Beach, Florida, 1989, pp. 55-6.

This showpiece miniature was one of the first created by Robert after he started working with Goebel Miniatures. It was one of four designs that he sculpted in his bedroom during the course of 1979; this particular one dates to July and early August of that year. It is based on a Capodimonte porcelain figure, Rites of Spring, made around 1840, and Robert chose it because the complexity of the figures and the decorative qualities would show off his skills to his new employers. The figurine was first issued in 1980 with the Goebel studio number 600-P, although editions continued to be produced in 1981, 1982, 1985 and 1986. I’m assuming, from the numbering on the base, that this one is a 1981 edition.

Cupid, perched on a pedestal, is watching two young men playfully crowning a young woman with flowers as a personification of Spring. In his catalogue of Robert’s work, Dick Hunt draws attention to the other flowers around the base of the figurine, which were sculpted separately and then fixed in place. He also flags the delicacy of the painting and the variety of colours: all four figures have different hair colours, and the costumes are also patterned with floral motifs and other details.

Signed on the base with the Goebel stamp, date ’81’ and catalogue number ’60O P’, and with Robert’s ‘handwritten’ signature below.