Heavenly Finds Part II: German Pincushion Doll and Royal Doulton "Sweet & Twenty"

After watching Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire's hot little "Cheek to Cheek" dance number I needed to take a little break to cool off!

But I'm back with some more of my vintage figurines collection...

Here's another favorite, that I just don't think I can bear to part with yet:  my Royal Doulton "Sweet and Twenty" figurine:

The rule of thumb for dating Doulton figurines:  Add 27 to the tiny number that's hardly visible to the right of the Doulton backstamp on the bottom of the figurine.  My "Sweet and Twenty" has a little 9.  9 + 27 = 36.  So this one dates back to 1936.  One of the older figurines of this type.

Look at the exquisite detail and color.  You can tell this is a quality piece.

Of lesser quality, but nearly as enchanting are the variety of Made in Japan figurines from the 1950's and 1960's. 

Here are two cute Birthday Angels and a wingless figurine for March, April and July birthdays.

And here's a little pair of kissing angel's.  Aren't they sweet...

Another "Japan" duo, complete with gold "I'm purring for you" tags.

 

A perfect little gift for (or from) your sweetheart. 

In case you didn't know... for a period of nine years - 1945 to 1953 - all items made in Japan were required to be marked: Made in Occupied Japan. 

Since none of these figurines use "occupied" in the mark, it's a pretty safe bet they are all from 1954 or later.  A few are marked in red or black with a simple "Japan."  Some also have their original stickers:  Napco, Shafford, ART, Enesco...

Here's a trio of religious figurines: a tiny praying boy & girl, a Madonna/Mary vase, and an angel-topped holy water font.

These two are made of plaster, and hand painted with gold decoration.  I'd say that these are older than my Japan figurines, probably from the 30's or 40's.

A close-up of the "God Bless Our Home" holy water angel.  She's got a tiny little nibble out of her nose.  I like to think that it was caused by a bit too much brown-nosing to earn her place in heaven.

:-)

Speaking of heaven...isn't she lovely?  Unfortunately, this photo really doesn't capture her beauty. She is unmarked - but if she is a Japan piece, it's of very high quality.  I had a collection of about five Madonna's at one time, and this is my favorite.

My mother, who is very Catholic (and also in the running for sainthood) will be pleased to know that I haven't completely fallen away from the church.  At least I collect religious figurines!  Maybe eventually it will rub off.

Okay, changing themes a bit...

Here are a couple of pretty "Southern Belles".  The top lifts off of the smaller one to reveal a space for holding trinkets and jewelry!

 

But I especially like this lovely belle.  My best guess is that she is from the 1940's.  It's unmarked, so I don't know who the maker is.  But I do recall running across the exact same mold, in a completely different color combination.  If anyone knows what pottery company made this figurine, please share!

Okay, moving back in time a bit to the Art Deco era, the 1920's and 1930's...

This "Japan" tray with deco nude has been sitting on the dressing table in my "boudoir" for years.  She's perfect for holding q-tips! 

Poor girl!  She's got a face only a mother could love...

The all-white of this Art Deco bookend reminds me of the white dancing "Ginger" figurine that I shared in my post earlier today.

There's something about the design that I find so enchanting.  Part of it, I suppose, is that I'm an avid reader - and so I'm drawn to reading figurines...

Last but not least, my 1920's German porcelain pincushion doll:

I paid far more money for her than I care to remember.  It was in the early days of my antiquing lust, about 10 years ago - and I was caught up in a bidding war.  No, not an online auction - but a live auction at my favorite local auction house, Luther Auctions.  I fell in love with her from the moment I saw her, and just had to have her!

It wasn't her porcelain face that got to me as much as her exquisite dress, decorated with lace and tiny silk rosebuds.

And the other thing that stole my heart were her little legs with tiny gold slippers, dangling off to the side.

At least once a week for the past 10 years, I stop a moment in front of my glass cabinet to take another look at her, and sigh...

Definitely worth every penny.