Featured Little dancing couple marionette toy. Antique? where from?

Thrift store put out a bunch of Hummels today Germany and Japan. I didn't buy any.
This little guy was just lying in the middle of all those figurines. Looked kind of special.
So, for the whopping $2.00 usd i took it home.
The figures are 4" tall and I think bisque or some other clay. The poor girl broke her leg though.

Mikey

 

The first thing I thought of was Sound of Music. They are cute.

 

Germany? Are their hats Tyrollean?

 

He's wearing a Tyroleon hat and lederhosen so Germany most likely. I'd think 1930s from the eyebrows and eau de Nil color of their accessories.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrolean_hat

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lederhosen

Debora

 

Thanks Debora,
Others I am finding are being described as composition and Christmas ornaments?
Mikey

 

They're surprisingly common, aren't they? Here's a German online auction web site that says they're a Christmas tree decoration from the Ore Mountains.

Debora

 

Oh, and pull that young girl's skirt down, would you? She looks most undignified.

Debora

 

Yes, made in the German part of the Ore Mountains, which lie in the German-Czech border region.
Making these cute toys started out as a cottage industry to supplement the income of the miners in the region. I think it grew into a real industry over time.

And I agree, the skirt should be pulled down. What would her mother think? And worse, what would the neighbours think!

 

She's liable to catch cold!

Debora

 

It wasn't an easy task. Her skirt is paper. I hope this satisfies Yall
Mikey

 

I don't think so. "It" is not breathable part of body.

 

With that leg, a cold is the least of her worries!
Mikey

 

Strictly speaking, going without underpants and having a good sit down may cause more than a cold from what you pick up...

I think they're really cute. And a little strange, which is always fun in a vintage/antique piece. I'm not sure what game involves becoming one at the arms and now I'm curious.

 

Exactly, But it's not called "a cold".

 

Speak for yourself...I know my underside would be cold. Alas, a price to pay when bringing the boys to the yard to play I guess.

 

please continue....I'm fascinated by this conversation !!!!

 

@komokwa and here I thought it was entertaining!

 

@Debora Maybe you were right and this "doll" got a cold and was "sneezing" so hard, that has injured the legs.
@komokwa @NanaB @mirana