Pincushion Dolls

Hertwig Art Deco half-doll pincushion.
Photo courtesy thedollworks.net

China half-dolls, also referred to as pincushion dolls, are not really dolls at all. These delightfully coquettish figures often adorned dressing tables as merely decorative objects of desire as early as the 1900's through the 1930's.  The best quality came from Germany and were intended to top utilitarian objects such as powder boxes, perfume bottles, and of course pincushions. Glazed china legs with painted gold slippers were sold separately to be sewn onto a pincushion underneath the dolls skirt.

Spectacular Art Deco half-doll with attached legs courtesy indulgy.com

A wonderful German 1920's flapper pincushion doll..
Photo courtesy dollshopsunited.com

A Dressel & Kister porcelain half-doll based on a portrait of Mme. Mole Raymond
by Vigee-Lebrun, which hangs in the Louvre, Paris. Photo courtesy prices4antiques.com

An Art Deco half-doll from my personal collection. Her original skirt was replaced
utilizing a satin dress from Integrity.

A German porcelain "Pierrot" half-doll.
Photo courtesy theriaults.com

A fabulous Marie Antoinette German half-doll.
Photo courtesy wanelo.com

Phoenix Gene Marshall looks perfectly divine as a half-doll.
Don't worry, her legs are still attached, hidden beneath the vintage fur muff.
Top and hat were borrowed from Madra's "So Evil My Love" ensemble.

Bibliography: China Half-Figures called Pincushion Dolls by Frieda Marion, J. Palmer Publishers.

Phoenix Gene Marshall doll is from Mel Odom and JamieShow.

1920's Japanese porcelain pincushion doll.
Photo courtesy rubylane.com