A very enigmatic and stylish majolica ceramic group of three figures on a wooden sled, with a male steering and female and male passenger seated behind, traveling down a snowy incline. With impressed signature "T SCHOOP" to the base. Austro-Hungarian, circa 1910. By Theodore Schoop for Bernard Bloch Studios. Condition note: There is a small crack to front axle of the sled, see image.

In 1871, Bernhard Bloch established B. Bloch & Company, a pottery located in Eichwald, Bohemia (now Czech Republic) producing decorative ceramics. The company was one of the few that continued to produce majolicaware after the end of WWI and was widely recognized for producing figurative majolica smoker’s companions, jardinières, and centrepieces which captured the imagination of the Victorians and led to the production of a range of risqué majolica dishes – unusual considering the sensibilities of the era – but proved to be extremely popular.

Size: 11 x 8.5 x 5 in. (28 x 22 x 13 cm).