October Fall Classic
Lot 1114:
Description
This is a fantastic piece of Art Deco retail history, a painted chalkware/plaster counter-top display bust advertising the “Flexaire by Flexees” brassiere. Dating to the late 1930s or early 1940s, this figural advertisement captures the elegant, streamlined style of the era, showcasing a sophisticated woman in a pink bra and elbow-length gloves, a signature look for intimate apparel displays of the period. The base reads, “The BRA for Bosom Beauty” and includes a placard identifying the “Flexaire” brand. As an original piece of advertising and fashion history, it’s highly sought after. The piece shows considerable age and wear, which is common for chalkware. Visible condition issues include various surface crazing and spider-web cracking in the plaster, particularly around the chest and back. There are chips and losses to the paint and plaster, most noticeably to the underside base edges, which appear to have been repaired or reinforced with a dark, tar-like material in the past. The paint finish has faded and yellowed with age, giving it a wonderfully authentic patina. H 12.5″, W 12″, D 6.5″. See photos.
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