Figurine - Half doll pincushion / antique sewing memorabilia 1920-1930 - Porcelain, Silk
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Selected by Michel Karis
Art historian with extensive experience working at various auction houses in antiques.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Vintage porcelain half-doll pincushion with a silk ribbon skirt and a working retractable tape measure, circa 1920s–1930s, depicting a girl with a white cat.
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Description from the seller
Antique Porcelain Half Doll Tape Measure – Girl with White Cat – Working Retractable Mechanism – Antique Sewing Accessory – Circa 1920s–1930s
Description
A particularly charming and unusual antique porcelain half doll incorporating a working retractable tape measure, believed to date from approximately the 1920s–1930s Art Deco period.
This delightful example combines beautifully hand-painted porcelain with an elaborate decorative ribbonwork skirt, creating an attractive and functional piece of antique sewing memorabilia.
The porcelain figure depicts a young girl with softly sculpted blonde hair, delicate hand-painted facial features and rosy cheeks. She wears a vibrant orange dress with a pale blue collar and gently cradles a small white cat in her arms.
The porcelain retains its attractive colouring and glossy glazed finish, with the little cat adding considerable charm and character to the design.
Decorative Ribbonwork Skirt
The porcelain figure is mounted upon a beautifully constructed, bell-shaped skirt made from intricately gathered champagne-gold satin ribbonwork.
The densely arranged ribbon loops create an elaborate three-dimensional textured effect, giving the piece a particularly elegant appearance.
The skirt retains its original-style construction, with the satin ribbonwork beautifully preserved and showing only minor signs of age-related wear.
The warm champagne colouring complements the bright orange porcelain dress and delicate white cat.
Working Retractable Tape Measure
A particularly interesting feature of this piece is the integrated retractable tape measure concealed within the decorative skirt.
The measuring tape extends from the side of the skirt and retracts automatically when released.
The mechanism remains functional, although it occasionally sticks slightly, consistent with the age of the piece.
The metal fittings and measuring tape remain present.
Unlike conventional porcelain half doll pincushions, this example combines decorative porcelain with a practical sewing accessory, making it especially appealing to collectors of antique sewing implements, vintage haberdashery and sewing antiques.
Measurements
* Total height: 9 cm
* Porcelain figure height: 4 cm
* Material: Hand-painted glazed porcelain, satin ribbonwork, fabric and metal components
* Function: Working retractable tape measure
Condition
Presented in excellent overall antique/vintage condition.
The porcelain figure, including the small white cat, is beautifully preserved, with no visible chips, cracks or repairs.
The hand-painted facial features, original-style colouring and glazed porcelain surfaces remain attractive and well maintained.
The champagne-gold satin ribbonwork skirt retains its elaborate gathered construction and is in excellent condition for its presumed age, with only minor signs of wear.
The integrated tape measure is functional. It extends and retracts automatically, although the mechanism occasionally sticks slightly.
The piece has been left in its existing condition to preserve its character and construction.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and condition assessment.
Age and Origin
* Estimated period: Circa 1920s–1930s
* Style: Art Deco / Early 20th-century
* Origin: Unconfirmed
* Category: Antique sewing accessories / Sewing antiques / Porcelain half dolls
* Type: Decorative porcelain half doll with integrated retractable tape measure
Collectability
An unusual and particularly attractive example of an early 20th-century-style decorative sewing accessory.
Porcelain half dolls were traditionally used to embellish pincushions, dressing-table accessories and other decorative household items. Examples incorporating practical sewing implements, such as tape measures, are especially interesting to collectors seeking more unusual variations.
The combination of the charming girl holding a white cat, colourful hand-painted porcelain, elaborate champagne-gold ribbonwork skirt and working retractable tape measure makes this a distinctive addition to a collection.
Particularly suitable for collectors of:
* Antique sewing accessories and sewing antiques
* Antique and vintage porcelain half dolls
* Decorative antique tape measures
* Vintage haberdashery and sewing memorabilia
* Art Deco decorative accessories
* Antique ribbonwork and pincushion dolls
A beautifully presented and unusual antique sewing collectible, retaining its decorative appeal and functional retractable measuring tape.
Offered individually as one complete porcelain half doll tape measure.
Antique Porcelain Half Doll Tape Measure – Girl with White Cat – Working Retractable Mechanism – Antique Sewing Accessory – Circa 1920s–1930s
Description
A particularly charming and unusual antique porcelain half doll incorporating a working retractable tape measure, believed to date from approximately the 1920s–1930s Art Deco period.
This delightful example combines beautifully hand-painted porcelain with an elaborate decorative ribbonwork skirt, creating an attractive and functional piece of antique sewing memorabilia.
The porcelain figure depicts a young girl with softly sculpted blonde hair, delicate hand-painted facial features and rosy cheeks. She wears a vibrant orange dress with a pale blue collar and gently cradles a small white cat in her arms.
The porcelain retains its attractive colouring and glossy glazed finish, with the little cat adding considerable charm and character to the design.
Decorative Ribbonwork Skirt
The porcelain figure is mounted upon a beautifully constructed, bell-shaped skirt made from intricately gathered champagne-gold satin ribbonwork.
The densely arranged ribbon loops create an elaborate three-dimensional textured effect, giving the piece a particularly elegant appearance.
The skirt retains its original-style construction, with the satin ribbonwork beautifully preserved and showing only minor signs of age-related wear.
The warm champagne colouring complements the bright orange porcelain dress and delicate white cat.
Working Retractable Tape Measure
A particularly interesting feature of this piece is the integrated retractable tape measure concealed within the decorative skirt.
The measuring tape extends from the side of the skirt and retracts automatically when released.
The mechanism remains functional, although it occasionally sticks slightly, consistent with the age of the piece.
The metal fittings and measuring tape remain present.
Unlike conventional porcelain half doll pincushions, this example combines decorative porcelain with a practical sewing accessory, making it especially appealing to collectors of antique sewing implements, vintage haberdashery and sewing antiques.
Measurements
* Total height: 9 cm
* Porcelain figure height: 4 cm
* Material: Hand-painted glazed porcelain, satin ribbonwork, fabric and metal components
* Function: Working retractable tape measure
Condition
Presented in excellent overall antique/vintage condition.
The porcelain figure, including the small white cat, is beautifully preserved, with no visible chips, cracks or repairs.
The hand-painted facial features, original-style colouring and glazed porcelain surfaces remain attractive and well maintained.
The champagne-gold satin ribbonwork skirt retains its elaborate gathered construction and is in excellent condition for its presumed age, with only minor signs of wear.
The integrated tape measure is functional. It extends and retracts automatically, although the mechanism occasionally sticks slightly.
The piece has been left in its existing condition to preserve its character and construction.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and condition assessment.
Age and Origin
* Estimated period: Circa 1920s–1930s
* Style: Art Deco / Early 20th-century
* Origin: Unconfirmed
* Category: Antique sewing accessories / Sewing antiques / Porcelain half dolls
* Type: Decorative porcelain half doll with integrated retractable tape measure
Collectability
An unusual and particularly attractive example of an early 20th-century-style decorative sewing accessory.
Porcelain half dolls were traditionally used to embellish pincushions, dressing-table accessories and other decorative household items. Examples incorporating practical sewing implements, such as tape measures, are especially interesting to collectors seeking more unusual variations.
The combination of the charming girl holding a white cat, colourful hand-painted porcelain, elaborate champagne-gold ribbonwork skirt and working retractable tape measure makes this a distinctive addition to a collection.
Particularly suitable for collectors of:
* Antique sewing accessories and sewing antiques
* Antique and vintage porcelain half dolls
* Decorative antique tape measures
* Vintage haberdashery and sewing memorabilia
* Art Deco decorative accessories
* Antique ribbonwork and pincushion dolls
A beautifully presented and unusual antique sewing collectible, retaining its decorative appeal and functional retractable measuring tape.
Offered individually as one complete porcelain half doll tape measure.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Number of objects
1
Style
Vintage
Title
Half doll pincushion / antique sewing memorabilia 1920-1930
Country of origin
Unknown
Material
Porcelain, Silk
Colour
Multicolour
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
9 cm
Width
4 cm
Depth
5 cm
Depiction/theme
Female figures
Estimated period
1900-2000
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