Featured Is this a doll form or mannequin and any ideas on age or origin?

I can find a lot of wire doll forms and mannequins, but none with this type of wire. It almost looks like it's from and old screen door. It certainly looks to be old, especially the closeup of the face. I have no idea what the head is made of. At first I thought it was tin then removed it and the section that inserts almost looks plastic as does the tip of the nose where the paint is chipped, but I really don't think it is. The bottom looks to be clay and I get a feeling it may be molded. It stands around 14.5" Also the shape of the wood base is interesting. I will be grateful for any information, thoughts or suggestions.

 

The head could be gesso over wood?

The wire mesh body looks very sturdy..........meant to keep its shape for............? lamp?

Although no signs of lamp wire..............

@BoudiccaJones

@sassafras

 

Come to think of it, @Any Jewelry might have an idea.

 

It looks to me like a contemporary shabby chic decor item, one you would find in a surplus housewares store, such as TJ Maxx. There was a trend a few years back for "semi-steampunk faux French antique mannequin or automaton"- type assemblages. I realize that is an awkward description, I'm sure there is a better decorators' term for it. I could not find a close example but here is something in the same genre. A gift from my sister, origin unknown, but not old. She holds my gold-tone necklaces. I put different hats on her seasonally so she doesn't look so ill.

 

I think Kevolee's has some age.

The wire reminds me of the type used on patio chairs.........maybe from the 20's - 40's?

 

I suspect that's a recent-sh decorative object.

Debora

 

-how tall Kevolee ? speaking of good (or at least intriguing),went to a charity flea at the local VFW a few years back and a guy had several porcelain signs (very thick,heavy,w/some rust-you know the type A. Pickers goes nuts for)-he was asking $30-$50 apiece.He replied this ones from abt 1975,this early '80's (he was a very honest dealer !),they were very well made.I suspect lots of vendors sell stuff as genuine because they're ignorant abt certain fields.
Just look at the expertise you need to ID Jewelry & Cameos (Bronwen-ay yai yai !)-those ladies are like human Smithsonians/Brit Museums !

 

DarkWing Manor's is a Santo with cage skirt. Modern interpretation of a Spanish Colonial religious item. A very popular decorative item.

Debora

 

Sorry, can't help @judy , but I've read some good suggestions.

We used to have Madonnas here in the south of the Netherlands and in Belgium with a similar construction, covered with gold embroidered velvet and silk garments. In Dutch they are called "stakenmadonna's", stake madonnas.

 

TY @Any Jewelry...........I guess I just don't see what the rest of you are seeing....................

 

..and yet, this site is calling them a 1930s industrial archeology mannequin... perhaps we are all off-beam! https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/b...om-1930s-industrial-archeology/id-f_21937092/

 

Must be true. It's on 1stdibs.com.

Debora

 

I'll inform a nearby religious museum too.

 

Jibberish... Industrial Archaeology Mannequin. And look at the deliberate distressing of head and neck.

Debora

 

Thanks everyone, I guess I'm as confused as when I started. I'm leaning to newer and I rubbed on what I though was clay on the bottom of the head insert and it came off and it is indeed plastic. Tapping on the head itself it sounds hollow so I am guessing molded. I have to admit the "aging" technique the used is very good. It is a different kind of plastic that I know I have seen somewhere but cant quite place. I don't think it applies here, but "translucent" comes to mind. I found a very similar one on a sale site that was being used to display a necklace, but it was a head and bust without the form. That sale had ended and I sent a message to the person I think had the listing but haven't heard back. Thanks for the ideas and the info on other items in the same vein.

 

This sort of discussion is very instructive. Thanks for showing the item, @Kevolee .

 

Yes it was very instructive. I often buy low priced items to take home to research and learn from them. Truth be told I paid $1.88 for this. I'm thinking of putting it up for bid to see what the market decides and if that goes nowhere there are several 'shabby chic" type shops nearby that will likely give me 5 or maybe even 10 times what I paid for it (stupid grin). Thanks so much for all of the input.

 

At 10x purchase price, you'll make a killing. I say... Go for it!

Debora