Featured little lady with fan

dear all

this little lady is 3" tall and the base is 1 1/4"
there is no mark anywhere.
she has 4 holes at her base and i was wondering what the holes were used for.
does anyone have any idea who made this and what it is used for?

regards
phaik hooi

 

Your dear little lady is a pincushion doll. The holes were to secure by sewing, the doll to a weighted base, covered in fabric.
These dolls were most often made in Japan or Germany, yours is probably a "made in Japan" model.

 

Also called a half doll.

 

thanx! mystery solved yay!

 

This one is 1920s. Think yours is same era.

Debora

 

Half dolls were often made in Germany, with Japan copying. I think yours is from Japan. Deborah's looks German

Half dolls can be pin cushions, brushes, lamps, what ever someone wanted to turn them into by sewing a skirt bottom to.

If you intend to sell it -Wash it. You'll get more for it that way.

 

Agree re Japan as source. Not as finely crafted as example.

Debora

 

noted japan copy. yes definitely not as finely crafted. thanx for the age estimate.
regards
phaik hooi