Thank you for visiting our listing for Erik, also known as the Dancing Boy. Handsome little vessel at 13" tall, in colorful ethnic costume. Beautifully made, with hand painted features-- definitely collectible on a vintage and decorative level alone. 

Information from investigation, done by a previous collector. Erik was a teen when he died in a theater fire in the 1900s. He felt the draw of vaudeville and the promise of life in the theater, and as a child would sneak in to watch shows from backstage until caught. He always entertained family and friends with song and dance, copying acts he saw on stage. He dreamt of someday joining a theater troupe and touring the country, just to dance. 

When a new theater opened in his hometown of Chicago he sought employment as an usher and was quickly hired. He saw it as a big break, getting paid while being able to see famous acts. Maybe he would be discovered, or could fill in on stage if he got the chance. Unfortunately during a performance in late December a fire broke out and over 500 people never made it out. Erik and other employees were among that number, and for a time he had no memory of the event and aftermath. A number of Spiritualists and mediums were quite busy for some time following as families in mourning tried to contact loved ones and find what we now call 'closure'. Erik attached himself to one medium and a variety of vessels until he found this one more suitable.