A few more clues

New angles to the mystery

My friend Mark of

All Things Ruffnerian, brought up an interesting point.

Could they be "The Magi"? 

It's the infant in the sling that makes me think otherwise.

This fellow looks like a scribe to me.  There could have been a book tucked under his right shoulder.

 And he is wearing a feather in his cap.  The symbol of a scribe.

Have no clue what he is carrying on his back.  Do you?

There are no symbols or signatures at the bottom, however, someone has penciled over whatever was originally there. 

 Two of the three figures show that they were holding something or posturing with their right arms.  Two figurines have their left arms straight down to their sides.  Makes me wonder... if they are "The Magi" would they not be holding gifts with both hands? 

And what is Gene doing while I'm wasting your time and my time playing supersleuth?

He is taking up the last of the 100-year-old fence in one of our pastures.  A crew of 5 has installed a new fence.

But that's another story.

Have a great week my dear

Blogging Friends.

Gina 

The puzzle may be solved

In 4 to 6 weeks

Christies of New York will have a look at them. 

Thank you Rosemary
of "wherefivevalleys meet"

You had a brilliant idea. 

It is because of you that I sent a few pictures to Christies.

And they were kind enough to respond with a very nice e-mail.

As soon as I hear I will share the good or bad news.

Have a great week my dear

Blogging Friends.

Gina

Still trying to discover

Are they very, very old?

I know, I have asked before. I'm  hoping that someone will recognize them or possibly have seen similar.

Visitors, to our house, always want to know their origin.  They're only 6 inches tall yet they have become a curiosity.  

About 35 years ago, an elderly, very well dressed couple, brought these figures into a Santa Barbara consignment shop. The owner of the shop was not interested in purchasing them.

Could I purchase them? They sold them to me for under $10, all of them.

The silver haired couple didn't look like they were needy. Why did they risk rejection? And for so little!

Why didn't I ask the elderly couple?

I have seen similar figurines in the Cairo, Egypt Museum.

Or are they a clever "antique" made by an enterprising artist?

They've been repaired many  times.  The wood is very light in weight and color. Some of the hand painting looks very old some looks as if added recently. 

What do you think my dear

Blogging Friends.

Gina  

So here is what I think

I have seen similar figures in the Cairo Museum in Egypt

Are these figures very old?

Are these figures from the Orient?

Maybe I don't need to know

But now that I have so many blogging friends who are experts in antiques....

Maybe you, my dear friends, have an answer.  I purchased these figures  from an elderly couple who came into a consignment shop in Santa Barbara
http://ginaceramics.blogspot.com/2009/12/do-you-recognize-these.html 

 

Those who have seen these figures admire them but no one knows anything about them.

DO YOU?

Gina