Figurine - Half-doll pincushion - Porcelain, Velvet, Textile

Rare Antique c.1920s Full-Body Porcelain Pincushion Doll – Top Hat – Original Velvet & Lace – 15cm

Full auction description

A particularly unusual and highly decorative antique full-body porcelain pincushion doll, dating approximately to the 1920s–1930s, retaining its period textile pincushion.

Unlike the more commonly encountered porcelain half dolls, this example features a complete elongated porcelain figure, making it a much more distinctive and collectible form.

The figure depicts an elegantly dressed young person in a wonderfully theatrical Art Deco-style costume, wearing a striking deep purple top hat, pale green jacket with white waistcoat, black buttons and purple neck detail. The figure has both hands confidently placed on the hips and wears exceptionally long moulded cream checked trousers, finished with tiny purple and black shoes.

The porcelain figure measures approximately 8 cm high and is beautifully modelled, with open spaces between the arms and body. These delicate projecting elements have remarkably survived intact.

The figure remains mounted on its period pale green velvet pincushion, which is finished with elaborate cream lace and pale mauve/purple ribbon decoration. The combination of the green velvet, aged lace and vivid porcelain colours makes this an especially attractive display piece.

Measurements:

* Porcelain figure: approx. 8 cm high
* Overall height: approx. 15 cm
* Width: approx. 9.5 cm
* Depth: approx. 9.5 cm

Condition

The porcelain presents extremely well for its age, with strong original colours and delicate features surviving beautifully.

There is a small chip/loss to the upper edge of the purple top hat, clearly visible in the photographs. This has not been restored or disguised. Otherwise, I can see no obvious major chips, cracks or repairs from the photographs, including to the particularly vulnerable arms and hands.

The period velvet pincushion remains attractive and retains its decorative lace and ribbon. As expected for textiles approaching a century old, the lace shows age-related discolouration, fragility and wear, with some areas of loosening and deterioration. These materials have deliberately been left untouched rather than cleaned or restored.

A rare and characterful surviving full-body pincushion doll, considerably more unusual than the standard half-doll form. The striking top-hatted figure, elongated costume and surviving period velvet and lace make this a particularly appealing example for a collection of antique porcelain dolls, pincushion dolls, sewing accessories or Art Deco decorative objects.

Date: Circa 1920s–1930s
Materials: Glazed porcelain, velvet, lace and ribbon
Porcelain figure: Approx. 8 cm
Overall: Approx. 15 × 9.5 × 9.5 cm
Condition: Very good antique condition overall, with a small chip/loss to the top hat and age-related wear to the original/period textiles. Please study all photographs carefully as they form part of the description.