Posted 4 years ago
Jonlux
(1 item)
This figurine is 11 in (28 cm) tall, made of painted plaster, and has never had restoration.
It was probably created as a jokey giftshop confection – and it might be over 100 years old.
Showing it here hoping someone might have an idea of its age and possible place of origin.
Several generations of my family passed this along, but with no story of origin. It wasn’t something they wanted to display, but they couldn’t throw it away.
(Maybe people had a conflicted response: does the poor derelict inspire sympathy or laughter?) Any insights will be much appreciated.
Look at happy hooligan and gloomy Gus figures.
Thanks dav2no1, that's the clue I needed. My figure is very close to one of three gloomy guses shown in a Hake's Auction website. They were shown there with three happy hooligan figurines in a set of six. Their origins were early newspaper cartoons; years estimated at 1900-1920.
It's a great piece. Display it and enjoy it.