Figurine - Half-doll tambourine dancer - Carl Schneider and Carl Scheidig (2) - Porcelain

Set of 2 Antique German Porcelain Half Dolls – Carl Schneider Gräfenthal & Carl Scheidig – Art Deco Tambourine Lady and Marie Antoinette – c.1910–1920s

An exceptional collection of two antique German porcelain half dolls, dating from approximately the 1910s–1920s, representing two distinctive styles of early 20th-century German porcelain craftsmanship.

The first is an elaborate Art Deco tambourine lady, attributed to Carl Schneider of Gräfenthal, while the second is an elegant Marie Antoinette-inspired lady, attributed to Carl Scheidig of Gräfenthal, Thuringia.

Both examples are particularly desirable for their intricate modelling, expressive facial features and beautifully preserved delicate arms, hands and fingers.

These early German porcelain half dolls are well represented in specialist pincushion doll literature and are increasingly appreciated by collectors of antique porcelain, Art Deco decorative arts, boudoir accessories and antique sewing collectibles.

Doll 1 – Carl Schneider Gräfenthal – Art Deco Tambourine Lady – Model 17027

A striking and unusually elaborate antique German porcelain half doll, attributed to Carl Schneider of Gräfenthal, Germany, dating to approximately the 1920s Art Deco period.

This larger example stands approximately 10 cm high and depicts a glamorous Art Deco lady with short black bobbed hair, beautifully painted eyes, rosy cheeks and delicately coloured lips.

She is modelled nude in the classic flapper style, holding a large tambourine dramatically beside her face. Both arms are completely free from the body, with one hand supporting the tambourine and the other positioned gracefully beneath it.

This intricate arrangement is particularly attractive, as the extended arms and individually modelled fingers are delicate features frequently susceptible to damage.

All fingers, hands and arms are intact, with no visible chips, cracks or repairs.

A particularly charming feature is the large yellow flower decorating her hair, together with an unusual translucent green ornament or comb extending behind her head.

The tambourine is individually modelled and decorated with a red border and yellow details. Its prominent position and the elaborate modelling make this a particularly eye-catching example.

The reverse of the tambourine shows a small area of paint loss, clearly illustrated in the photographs. Otherwise, the porcelain is in excellent antique condition.

The base is marked Germany, with model/serial number 17027.

Original sewing holes are present around the lower porcelain base, indicating that the doll was originally designed for attachment to a fabric pincushion, powder puff or similar decorative boudoir accessory.

Carl Schneider’s Gräfenthal porcelain factory is associated with collectible German half dolls from this period, and Schneider examples are illustrated in specialist reference books on antique pincushion dolls.

Details:

* Attributed manufacturer: Carl Schneider, Gräfenthal
* Origin: Germany
* Model number: 17027
* Period: Art Deco, circa 1920s
* Material: Glazed porcelain
* Height: 10 cm
* Width: 8 cm
* Depth: 4 cm
* Subject: Nude Art Deco lady holding a tambourine
* Marking: Germany and model number
* Condition: Excellent antique condition; all delicate fingers and arms intact. Minor paint loss to reverse of tambourine only, as photographed.

Doll 2 – Carl Scheidig Gräfenthal – Marie Antoinette Style – Model 5022

A beautiful antique German porcelain half doll attributed to Carl Scheidig of Gräfenthal, Thuringia, dating from approximately the 1910s–1920s.

This elegant lady is modelled in a romantic 18th-century, Marie Antoinette-inspired style, with long auburn curls arranged around her shoulders and an elaborate upswept hairstyle.

She wears a low-cut peach-coloured bodice with delicately modelled floral decoration and beautifully detailed flowing sleeves.

Her pose is particularly graceful, with one hand raised towards her hair and neck, while the other arm crosses the front of her body.

Her finely painted facial features, gentle expression and softly coloured complexion give the piece considerable charm.

The flowing sleeves, individual fingers and extended arm are particularly delicate elements of the design.

Both hands and all fingers are intact, with no visible chips, cracks or repairs.

The reverse is marked Germany, together with the impressed model number 5022.

Model 5022 has been attributed to the German porcelain manufacturer Carl Scheidig of Gräfenthal in specialist half-doll references.

An interesting feature of this particular example is an old handwritten collector’s inscription on the lower front of the porcelain base.

According to its previous ownership history, this inscription was added by someone who purchased the doll in 1995 and recorded their name and location directly onto the porcelain.

This is a later ownership inscription rather than an original factory marking. It has deliberately been left untouched and is clearly visible in the photographs.

There is some age-related surface wear and discolouration, consistent with its antique character.

The original sewing holes around the base remain, indicating that the figure was originally intended for use as a pincushion doll or similar decorative accessory.

Details:

* Attributed manufacturer: Carl Scheidig, Gräfenthal
* Origin: Germany
* Model number: 5022
* Period: Circa 1910s–1920s
* Style: Marie Antoinette / 18th-century inspired
* Material: Porcelain
* Height: 8.5 cm
* Width: 6 cm
* Depth: 2.5 cm
* Markings: Germany and impressed model number 5022
* Condition: Very good antique condition with no visible chips, cracks or repairs. All delicate fingers and hands intact. Age-related surface wear and later handwritten ownership inscription to the front base.

Overall Condition and Collectibility

Both half dolls are offered together as a collectible pair of early German porcelain examples.

Their appeal lies particularly in the elaborate modelling, distinctive period designs, identifiable model numbers and excellent preservation of the delicate extended arms and fingers.

The contrast between the glamorous Art Deco tambourine lady and the romantic Marie Antoinette-style figure makes this a particularly attractive pairing.

Both retain their original porcelain bases and sewing holes.

Condition summary: No visible chips, cracks or repairs to either doll. All hands and fingers intact. Minor paint loss to the reverse of Doll 1’s tambourine and age-related wear with a later ownership inscription to Doll 2.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and illustrate the condition, markings and individual characteristics of both pieces.

A wonderful opportunity to acquire two distinctive antique German porcelain half dolls, suitable for an established collection or for collectors of antique pincushion dolls, German porcelain, Art Deco figures and early boudoir accessories.

Sold together as one lot of two antique porcelain half dolls.