{"product_id":"bulging-biceps-and-eight-pack-the-dying-gaul-june-hoffmans-most-excellent-1933-soap-carving","title":"Bulging Biceps and Eight Pack (The Dying Gaul?): June Hoffman's Most Excellent 1933 Soap Carving","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eMy absolute favorite soap carving I've come across, and the first I've ever felt compelled to purchase, though I am always delighted by the existence of these. The medium became a thing in the the 1920s and 30s, responsive to competitions sponsored by Procter and Gamble, beginning with the \"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eNational Soap Sculpture Competition in White Soap\" launched in 1924. This very charmingly rendered, very muscular, surely classically inspired male figure (I'm not sure if referencing the \u003cem\u003eDying Gaul\u003c\/em\u003e specifically, but of that ilk--and very cleverly responsive to the shape of the soap, which would not accommodate legs!) is just about everything one could want  in a soap carving I'd say, including handwritten label identifying it as the work of a June Hoffman in 1933 and logo still visible on the back of the bar of soap. Fabulous. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2 3\/4\" t x 2 1\/2\" w x 15\/16\" d. Excellent near antique condition. A little darkening to the white soap, mostly around his head, which is typical for these--but really in remarkably good condition with no losses or issues whatsoever.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"critical EYE Finds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67659036590334,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0015\/5022\/1382\/files\/IMG_7061_84b95a8c-f674-485e-8dc8-1230a1a56eb6.jpg?v=1790785989","url":"https:\/\/www.criticaleyefinds.com\/products\/bulging-biceps-and-eight-pack-the-dying-gaul-june-hoffmans-most-excellent-1933-soap-carving","provider":"critical EYE Finds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}