As the Victorian era was drawing to a close, many were growing weary of the strait-laced roll that had been assigned to society. One outbreak from the restraints of the era were small bisque and china female figurines appearing in the nude or suggestive clothing. Called naughties, they were manufactured from the late 1800s through the 1930s. Today, we would find these lovelies tame if not innocent, but in their day they were considered shocking.

Many naughties are nude but just as many wear one-piece bathing suits or other scanty gear. Manufacturers often used the same molds to create the clothed and unclothed figurines. It was just a simple matter of painting on a swimsuit or other just-as-shocking attire to make the figurine a bit more acceptable. Naughties could appear as mermaids or harem ladies as well as nudies.

Germany was the primary source of naughties. Many manufacturers had a specialty all their own. For example, Schafer-produced nudies wearing black stockings and Kister figurines were more realistic in their appearance than others. Though many manufacturers made mermaids, those made by Goebel are favored by collectors.

Besides nudies, bathing beauties and mermaids there are flippers included in this category of figurines. Flippers appear to be an innocent maid until the figurine is flipped over where a not-so-innocent bottom is evident. There were all manner of pin cushions, jewelry boxes and other novelties that showcased naughties either as flippers, nudes or scantily attired women.

Sharon Hope Weintraub maintains a very informative Web site (http://www.onr.com/user/bblady/) that gives an excellent review and advice about naughties. She is a noted authority on naughties who also published a book through Schiffer called "Naughties: Nudies & Bathing Beauties." Reviews are good, and anyone interested in naughties would be remiss in their research if they didn't consult this book. Another missive published by Schiffer one might consult is "Bawdy Bisques and Naughty Novelties: German Bathing Beauties and the Risque Kin."

Naughties range in price from approximately $50 to more than $1,500. Any damage to the naughty should be reflective in the price except in the very rare naughty and then an occasional nick or ding might be acceptable. This is an interesting collectible, however, because of the prices and reproductions on the market careful study before purchase is important.

Jean McClelland writes about antiques for The Herald-Dispatch.