Finely carved and painted trio of bathing beauties made by Joseph Simas. The standing figure with the large bonnet and the seated one are signed by him and dated 1943; the third is unsigned and undated. The seated figure exhibits fine crazing, possibly due to a different paint. Our on-line research didn't turn up anything definitive about Simas, but he obviously was very talented and an apt student of the female form. The seated figure measures 7 ½" long x 4 ½" high, and is mounted on a board measuring 8 ¾"L x 1 7/8"W x ½"H. The figure with the bonnet is 9" tall x 4" wide at elbows and stands on a circular plinth atop a square base measuring a total of 1" high. She has lipstick and nail polish. The redhead with a flower in her hair also measures 9" tall and stands on a square plinth atop a base adding a total of another 1¼" in height. Her left thumb has a small shrinkage separation only visible from the back. She sports earrings, lipstick and nail polish. (CO-15)

$985