Gänseliesel

A Britannium statuette depicting a Gänseliesel, based on Albert Schulz’s design, produced by WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik) in the early 20th century. The Gänseliesel, or ‘Little Lise with the Goose’, is an iconic figure of Alsatian and German identity, taken from the eponymous work by Albert Schulz (1871–1953). She is dressed in traditional Alsatian costume: her headdress is shaped like a bow, and her dress is covered by an apron cinched at the waist by a corset. In addition to these traditional elements, the young girl holds a basket full of vegetables in her hand. A mischievous goose is snatching a vegetable that has fallen out of the basket. The original bronze sculpture is now located in the Parc de l’Orangerie in Strasbourg. Britannium is an alloy of tin, antimony and copper.

Hallmarks: ‘W.M.F.’ ‘Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik’, based in Baden-Württemberg.

Period: early 20th century.

Dimensions:
Height: 24 cm
Width: 12 cm
Depth: 12 cm

Condition: Good, the basket handle is missing.