Figural Flower Frogs, Part I
By Shelley Cole
Issue #367 - November 2003
In February of 2003, Barbara Burke, Bob Robinson, Alex Citron and I
presented a program on Cambridge Flower Frogs for the Cambridge
Triangles Study Group. The Crystal Ball has already printed Bob
Robinson's article on Flower Blocks so I have been enlisted to present
an article on the Figural Flower Frogs. In preparing for this
presentation I referred to back issues of the Crystal Ball as well as
using other resources on the internet and speaking with people who have
been collecting for years. Much has been written about flower frogs
over the years. I basically culled that information and brought it into
one place. My thanks to Bill Smith, Mark Nye, Georgia Otten and Sue and
David Rankin for their research and contributions to the Crystal Ball
over the years. The one area where much new information is available is
in the area of reproductions.
First, let's look at the human figurals. Listed below are the
various frogs along with the base type and item number when known.
There are three types of bases that fairly well represent the evolution
of the different shapes used over the years. The Type 1, or fancy
scalloped base being the oldest used on some of the Rose Ladies and 13"
Draped Ladies; the Type 2, or plain round base being used most
extensively and the Type 3, or ribbed base being used only at the end
of production. In the early years, Draped Ladies and Two Kids were also
available with an oval base. The Geisha Flower Frogs had a two-part
base which will be discussed in more detail later. I've also indicated
when each flower frog appears in various catalogues. This should give a
good indication of production dates for the various styles.
Types of Human Figural Flower Frogs
- Rose Lady, 9.5", Item #512
Type 1 Base (6 holes in base) no known catalogue references
- Rose Lady, 8.5", Item #512
Type 2 Base (10 holes in base)
1927-1929 Catalogue Reprint, p. 3
- Draped Lady, 13.5", Item #513Draped Lady, 13.5", Item #513
Type 1 Base (6 holes in base)
1927-1929 Catalogue Reprint, page 3
- Draped Lady, 12.5" , Item #513
Type 2 Base (12 holes in base)
1927-1929 Catalogue Reprint, page 63
1930-1934 Catalogue Reprint, pages 49, 67
1940 Catalogue Reprint, page 409
- Draped Lady, 8.5", Item #518
Type 2 Base (10 holes in base)
1927-1929 Catalogue Reprint, page 3
1930-1934 Catalogue Reprint, pages 49, 66, 68- 71, 33-30
1940 Catalogue Reprint, pages 265, 409, 441
1949-1953 Catalogue Reprint, page 17
- Draped Lady 8.5", Item #518
Type 3 Base (10 holes in base)
1956-1958 Catalogue Reprint, page 59
- Draped Lady, 8.5", Item #849
Oval Base (6 holes in base)
1930-1934 Catalogue Reprint, pages 49, 64, 68, 70
- Geisha, One Bun, 11", Item #523 (6 holes in base)
1927-1929 Catalogue Reprint, page 3
- Geisha, Two Bun, 11", Item #522 (6 holes in base)
1927-1929 Catalogue Reprint, page 3
- Mandolin Lady, 8.5 to 9", Item #1108
Type 2 Base (10 holes in base)
1927-1929 Catalogue Reprint, page 59
- Two Kid, 9", Item #509 - Type 2 Base (10 holes)
1930-1934 Catalogue Reprint, page 49
1940 Catalogue Reprint, page 455
- Two Kid, 9", Item #848 - Oval Base (6 holes)
1927-1929 Catalogue Reprint, page 37
- Bashful Charlotte, 11", Item #1115
Type 2 Base (12 holes in base)
1927-1929 Catalogue Reprint, page 59
1930-1934 Catalogue Reprint, pages 49, 65 - 71
1940 Catalogue Reprint, page 409
- Bashful Charlotte, 6", Item #1114
Type 2 Base (6 holes in base)
1927-1929 Catalogue Reprint, page 59
1930-1934 Catalogue Reprint, pages 49, 66, 71
1940 Catalogue Reprint, page 409
1949-1953 Catalogue Reprint, page 17
1956-1958 Catalogue Reprint, page 59
- Melon Boy, Type 2 Base
no known catalogue references
Matching Candlestick appears in the 1930-1934 Catalogue Reprint, page 31-8
Shelley has created an
updated chart showing the colors and treatments for the figural flower frogs by
Cambridge.
Next month ... Part II, The Patents & Designs