Rosenthal - G. Oppel - Figure - Bonzo - Porcelain

Rosenthal - Bonzo as Cavalier, very rare grotesque, young dog.
Model number K 1085
Design G. Oppel 1930.
Model maker signed.
Height: 12 cm
Under-glaze painting.
Condition: very good

The figure is listed in the specialist literature by:
Emmy Niecol, Rosenthal Art - and Decorative Porcelain 1897-1945,
Volume 3/5,
Fig. Page 67, No. 3.0976.

Bonzo as Cavalier, young dog, male making (philtrum), with top hat & bow.
Humorous grotesque rarity from Rosenthal.

This charming figure depicts Bonzo, one of the most famous cartoon dogs of the 1920s.
The shown version as a “Cavalier” with top hat and red bow tie is a particularly sought-after collectible from the Rosenthal porcelain manufactory.

Here are some interesting details about the figure and its background:

The origin of the figure
Bonzo was designed by the British artist George E. Studdy (1878–1948). He first appeared the little dog in 1922 in the magazine The Sketch.
Typical for Bonzo are his round, almost spherical body, the large blue eyes and his often human poses.

In the 1920s Rosenthal secured the rights to produce Bonzo as a high-quality porcelain figure.
Rosenthal models are characterized by their fine glaze and detailed painting.
The figure shows the rare variant as Bonzo as Cavalier (often also referred to as “Bonzo with top hat”).

Such grotesque dog figures were often cataloged under special model numbers in Rosenthal’s art department.
Bonzo figures from Rosenthal are today regarded as absolute rarities.