Chang and Eng Bunker porcelain figurine - circa 1860s - German pottery, antique porcelain, vintage circus souvenir, Barnum
Small statuette of Barnum’s Circus famous conjoined twins Chang & Eng Bunker. Likely a souvenir for circus goers who would have flocked to see the mysteries presented as part of the fun fair. Front of the statue’s pedestal is inscribed “Siam Zwilling" which means Siamese twins in German.
They lived full and adventurous lives, travelling through Europe and America with their famous stage show, giving the world the term "Siamese twins". Fiercely independent, they refused to be treated as second class citizens. They married and had children and died aged 62.
Figurine measures 3 ½” or 8.5 cm high. Very good pre-owned and antique condition. There are no chips, cracks. This type porcelain back then was more primitive so it does show firing flaws. This is from my own collection of curios, I've had this in my collection over 30 years but now it'd time to let go of this rare and intriguing piece of history.
