Gent Acrobats

The Schoenhut Gent Acrobats
Schoenhut made the gent acrobats in three basic designs - the two-part molded head, the bisque head, and the one-part molded head. Schoenhut sometimes referred to this figure as the "strong man" or "heavy weight man".
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee Gent Acrobat - two-part Head The two-part head gent acrobat was the first made. This head is made much like those of the bandsmen - a molded front was glued to a back. The back is likely a wood turning with one side flattened. Keller Style I - Rare Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Judith Lile Samples with red leggings are very rare and, not surprisingly, those with both red leggings and armlings are even rarer - possibly only one or two known. Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee		Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Jim Sneed Gent Acrobat - bisque head The Gent Acrobat is most often found in the bisque head version. Hair is usually black or brown but red-brown and blonde are known. Shoes of all acrobats are made in two parts - the bottom part being slotted front to back, and side to side. Unfortunately, the soles often fall off. Keller Style II - Scarce Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Jim Sneed Gent Acrobat - bisque head This is a very pretty color combination - green over peach with gold rickrack. The peach or dull red color is not a faded red.
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Jim Sneed The early two-part-head style gent acrobat on the left is slightly taller that the later bisque style. Also, his skin color is much whiter.		Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Judith Lile Two-part-head
The Wallenda family performs in circuses to this day. They are especially famous for their high wire acts. Three of today's Wallendas - Olinka, Aurelia, and Tino after a performance in Charleston SC on May 2006 in Circus Flora. Here they are shown performing the exciting Seven- Person Pyramid at Circus Flora. Click on either of the thumbnails to see a larger picture.		Photo by Judith Lile Gent Acrobat - one-part head Unlike the case with most performers, the one-part head gent acrobat is probably the rarest gent acrobat. This very pretty example is dressed in a yellow top over blue shorts. The braiding is the later yellow cloth version. Keller Style III - Very Rare Photo by Judith Lile
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Susan Turner Bisque head gent acrobat The red hair example is very rare. Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Jim Sneed		Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Jim Sneed The red, brown, and black hair colors are evident in this threesome. We have photographed a blond gent acrobat - see below. Their suits can be combinations of yellow, blue, red, peach, or green. The red hair compared with the brown hair bisque heads. Photo by Jim Sneed the collection of Donna and Keith Kaonis The only known example of a blond gent acrobat.
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Jim Kramer Gent Acrobat bisque head, black hair This early bisque head gent acrobat has very heavy gold braiding. Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Gene Metcalf		Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Susan Turner Gent Acrobat, bisque head, black hair Later, the metallic gold braiding was replaced with yellow cloth braiding. Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Judith Lile The Chinese and Gent acrobats perform for you
Gent Acrobat Top Applied Decorations We have observed four distinct Gent Acrobat top decorations - plain, candy canes, S's, and straight. These decorations were made by application of a gold-colored paste. Over the years, the gold color oxidizes to give us the black color we see today.
Plain tops show no signs of appliqué. These appear in Schoenhut's catalog illustrations.	This top design looks like two candy canes separated by a row of buttons.	This top design resembles two "S" shapes.	Three horizontal braids and a "button" on each side at the top, characterize this top design.