Half Dolls

Arts & Crafts Revivals

Half Dolls

These beautiful little porcelain figurines first appeared as early as 1840, in Germany, and rapidly became popular. Half Dolls are a collector’s treasure, and hard to find.

By the 1900's these finely sculptured figurines were in such demand that they were produced by the thousands, not only in Germany, but also in America, Japan, France, and Bavaria. Half Dolls were in almost every home and were used on pincushions, curtain tassels, tea cozys, lamps, brooch holders, feather dusters, small boxes, powder puffs, milk jug covers, perfume bottles, cushions, framed collages and potpourri cushions and many more items.

Half Dolls are known by many names: pincushion dolls, tea-cozy dolls, dresser dolls, pin-cushion dolls, whiskbroom dolls… they were used as a hard working doll, or just a flirty decoration. The dolls usually had voluminous skirts, to cover everyday objects and were often attached at the waist or lower waist to a useful broom or brush to remove lint or crumbs. Many were attached to pin cushions or displayed on dressing tables.

Some Half Dolls were created of Bisque, and others were made of porcelain. Many had carefully styled hair wigs, with elaborate costumes embellished with silk, rayon, or organza ribbon work, beads, doilies and beautifully dyed lace, and delicate, hand-painted features. The most basic Half Dolls were molded with their arms held close to the body. The more intricate figures involved using many separate moulds for each part and fastening the parts to the unfired figure, while they were still moist. These dolls were exquisitely detailed, even to the lines on their outstretched palms, and are highly prized today.

Now you can have your own original version of these beautiful antiques. Heart of Hearts can create unique Half Dolls for you, designed for any purpose you specify. Costumes will be hand stitched using the finest silk, ribbon and lace to perfectly emphasize the delicate loveliness of these little gems. We can use your own fabrics to create an original family heirloom for you, or to begin your own keepsake collection.

Half Dolls also make unusual and original gifts, and have many and varied possibilities for their use. They can be used as lovely decorations to hang as curtain tassels, or to embellish a lampshade, or used as a pincushion or tea cozy. We can even incorporate them into wearable art or decoration for a handmade purse or tote. Their uses are really limited only by your imagination…

Click on pictures for full detail.

Half Doll Lamp (with parasol) -- charming porcelain half doll bedroom lamp dressed in pearl-adorned silk overskirt and lace inner skirt and finished with charming buttercup silk flowers	Half Doll in Pink Dress – dressed in beautiful lace and tulle with tiny roses and an inner layer of bridal satin.

Pin Cushion Dolls

Pincushion Doll - adorned in fine lace and ornately beaded silk skirt with coordinating dupioni silk pincushion.	Pincushion Doll- Lovingly attired in beautiful lace blue brocade material with moiré pincushion
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