Bidspirit auction | An antisemitic bronze relief, late

An antisemitic bronze relief, late 19th century, depicting a figure based on Fagin – the stereotypical Jewish villain from Charles Dickens’ famous novel, “Oliver Twist”. The figure is designed in a distinctly caricatured and antisemitic manner, featuring a long, hooked nose, a long, wild beard, worn and tattered clothing, and a hat associated with old European Jewish attire. The figure holds a long fork (or small pitchfork) used for toasting toast or sausages over a fire. This element is taken directly from the first description of Fagin in Dickens’s book, where he is shown standing by the fire holding such a fork. Historical background: These types of plaques and reliefs were produced in Europe (mainly in Austria and Germany) as home decorations during periods when anti-Semitic stereotypes were common and accepted in popular culture Dimensions: 34.5*22.2 cm. Source: Private collection.