Very rare Victorian German Heubach porcelain figurals. Hand painted, they are bisque (meaning unglazed). Both are 14.5" tall. The rarity results from their extreme fragility, and precious few have survived. Heubach was an outstanding 19th. Century maker of porcelain figures, and these were made for importing into the United States - made, ironically, by craftsmen not particularly familiar with baseball, yet the detail is exquisite: laces on spikes through what are essentially spats, vertically striped pants, colored belts, beautifully striped shirts (too high-end to be termed jerseys) with a dress collar, and pillbox hats. The color is striking, and the figures' faces reflect the cherubic style of the time - rosy cheeks, curly locks and all. The figure in blue stripes is a pitcher, ready to go into his wind-up. The pitcher wears no baseball glove, reflecting this time in baseball evolution, as in the early 1800's players were gradually transitioning from playing barehanded to wearing gloves. The figure in red stripes is a batter, apparently ready to face the opponent pitcher in blue. Heartwarming figurals combining the lasting appeal and unique charm of cherubs and baseball.