Pre-war casting of the Chicken Thief by H.J Pagels believed to have been done in the 1930's. Beautiful patina in chocolate brown of the famous character of German folklore and done during wartime as well by the firm of Allach. Approx 12 inches high the thief was originally modeled in 1910 and the fountain which made it famous destroyed during the war and replaced. The folklore pieces in German culture are some of the most collectible with the Allach firm doing a series of dancers and Moriskens that today command strong prices when found in market. Many of the original figures for the firm were originally done in bronze with the thief being just one example. A great piece that I do not see all that much in any form.

Hermann-Joachim Pagels (1876 - 1959) - The Chicken Thief., Bronze in a dark brown patina, with signature and date "H. J. Pagels 1910" on the plinth. H. J. Pagels was a sculptor and pupil of Brausewetter, Breuer and Herter. The Chicken Thief fountain in Aachen as well as the Fish's Boy fountain in Bremerhaven and busts of, amongst others, Adolf Hitler (cf. Hermann Historica, 51st auction, lot 3064) or Eugen Drippe, National Gallery of Berlin, are some of his most famous works. The large figure at the Hühnermarkt in Aachen has been unveiled in 1913, it shows the moment when the chicken thief realises that he stole a crowing rooster and not a hen. The Chicken Thief has also been manufactured by the Allach porcelain manufactory under model number "126".