Traditional figures with putzes

Post by **Nan** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 3:05 pm

I've seen bits and pieces of information here and there, but would really like a rundown or summary of what kinds of figures actually appeared with putzes in their original form. Santas with some, but which? And what kind of Santas? How were they made? Padres with churches, I presume, but is this true for only Hacienda-type churches? I seem to recall someone mentioning snowmen, and would have the same kinds of questions about them. And I've seen photos of children or others standing in front of putzes, and they looked pretty old. Anyway, information is what I'm looking for. Any assistance would be appreciated!

Post by **Howard** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:42 pm

i'm not the expert on this subject...and i hope some of the "true collectors" and "historians" will chime in with some detailed background...but perhaps this will answer some part of your inquiry...

i have seen all the figures you mentioned in photos...along with dogs and a small car...

the only figure i have had direct contact with is the "santa"...i obtained an original putz santa from a collector earlier this year...and here's what i can tell you from close examination with a magnifying glass...

it appear to be molded or cast of some kind of clay that looks like an ordinary flower pot material...i could see the mold release lines and scars left where the sprues were...i also saw the remains of two short lenghts of fine wire...the wire was probably cast into the figure...and used to hold the figure onto the base...

with the help of some other putz community e-friends, i was fairly successful in making a 2-piece mold, casting and painting a few santas...i won't bore all of you with the details other than to say "it was very labor intensive" to produce them one at a time with just one mold...i've attached a picture of a small santa convention...

my very best regards...

howard

Post by **paulrace** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:05 am

Jaw-dropping as always, Howard. Great work. Thanks for sharing.

Post by **maria** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:26 am

This is too funny--I was planning on posting these today--an extraordinary bit of work Howard!

Post by **PutzinVT** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:29 pm

I'd love to see more pictures of the figures.
I've only seen one from pictures on ebay. And only if they have a figure.

I might have to cast my own like howard.

Pretty cool.

Steve

Post by **Nan** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 3:08 pm

Wow! What a great reply. And what an incredible amount of work. Any pictures anyone else would like to post of original or reproduction figures from putzes I would love to see. Thanks for being so wonderfully responsive.
I have two seated Santas that were originally on sleighs; they had nothing to do with putzes, except that my late mother-in-law put them out together at Christmas time (late 1930s). Actually, my husband remembers her putting one sleigh out with one Santa and four cream-colored reindeer, but what has survived is the one sleigh, two identical Santas, and three white reindeer. No one knows where the second Santa came from, but it is identical to the first (I'll get pictures soon). They have a clay-like painted face with a cotton beard and black boots, and wire legs and arms (neither has hands). The part that stick out of the jacket sleeves appears to be of rolled felt, and the torso is rolled newspaper--some Japanese symbols are visible on it if you carefully pull up the jacket. The jacket and hat are traditional red cloth with white trim, and each Santa is carrying, on his right arm, a piece of bottle-brush greenery that must have once looked like a small tree. The sleigh has two little tiny wrapped Christmas packages in it, but my husband thinks his mother added those after-the-fact.

Post by **Ruthann** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:47 am

I have a padre type figure in front of a church, but it is not a hacienda. It is on display right now but when I take down the exhibit next week I will try to remember to take a photo to post here.

Post by **PutzinVT** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:07 pm

I really like Howards idea of casting some old figures to use on house I build.

So I've been watching some ebay auctions w/ house that have figures on them.
I'd like to try my had at casting a Padre from a church putz.

Holly Cow! the last one i watched sold for over $100.00.

I was hoping I could get one for $10 or so. Guess not. Is there something I'm missing that makes the house w/ figures at auction go for more money that the standard house.

Cheers,

Steve

Post by **maria** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:52 pm

I am often in awe of the older putzs that came with little bisque figures. A friend has one of the largest collections of old putz houses--still with their figures which where often lost over time--I have ever sen. I am posting a photo of one of her houses with a tiny girl holding a doll. Most of the figrues I have seen are of Santa, occasionally a "padre", and then this little girl.

Post by **maria** » Mon Jan 02, 2012 7:46 pm

I forgot to mention that some of the figures I also use come from cake decorating shops--cake pinks for example--and some are vintage finds

Here are some shops which may prove useful
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeyYoYo?ref=seller_info
www.babykakes.com