Anti-Semitic porcelain Fagin figurine - A Jew with a kippah (yarmulka) and a stereotypical face, holding his beard with a bewildered look. Germany, early 20th century.
Fagin's character, portrayed as a Jewish criminal and the leader of a group of pickpocket children, is taken from the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens [published in 1838], the stereotypical character appears in the book as a Jew in neglected clothes and unruly hair. In the novel, Fagin is most bluntly portrayed as an evil villain and a schemer who teaches children how to steal and tries to corrupt the character of Oliver. Fagin is often mentioned not by his first name, but by the nickname "The Jew". Although in his later years Dickens disavowed the stereotypical character he created following the sale of his London home to Jewish banker James Davis, and in later editions of the book he omitted many references to "the Jew" in reference to the criminal Fagin, nonetheless the character became widely accepted throughout Europe as a typical figure of the Jewish thief and swindler who threatened the local population.
Height: 9.5 cm. Very good condition.
