The Love Game (Emmett Kelly Jr. as Clown with Tennis Racket)
Decorative Art; Limited Edition Collector Plate • Emmett Kelly Jr. (Subject and Branding) / Attributed to professional illustrators for the Flambro Imports line.
Style & Movement
Mid-Century American Pop Realism / Circus Memorabilia / Kitsch
Medium & Technique
Transfer-printed kiln-fired ceramic with gold-trimmed rim. The original artwork was produced using airbrush or smooth acrylic illustration techniques to achieve a clean, commercial finish.
Creation Period
circa 1986 (dated '86' in the lower right quadrant)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 8.5 inches in diameter; Circular (Tondo) format.
Subject Description
A portrait of the famous 'Weary Willie' hobo clown persona originated by Emmett Kelly Sr. and continued by his son. The clown wears his signature tattered top hat, red scarf, and mournful makeup. He is holding a broken tennis racket, representing a comedic 'loser' or 'love' theme, set against a blue background suggesting a tennis court fence.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; appears to be in well-preserved vintage condition with no visible chips, cracks, or fading to the transfer image.
Estimated Market Value
$15 - $35 USD
Auction Estimate
$10 - $25 USD
Provenance History
Mass-produced as part of the Emmett Kelly Jr. Collection by Flambro; typically sold through gift shops or collectibles catalogs in the 1980s. Likely secondary market purchase.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the 1980s boom in the American 'Collector Plate' market and the enduring commercial legacy of the Kelly family's circus iconography. It serves as a cultural artifact of the transition of circus performance into suburban home decor.
Notable Features
Includes the '86' date stamp on the front; features the trademark disgruntled expression of the hobo clown contrasted with an atypical sports-themed prop (the broken tennis racket).
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust; potential for light stacking scratches on the reverse not visible in the photo; no major structural defects.
Conservation Recommendations
Display away from direct sunlight to prevent long-term glaze discoloration. Use a plastic-coated plate hanger to avoid scratching the gold rim. Dust with a dry micro-fiber cloth.