Do you know what these are?

Dandy · 31-10-2011, 15:29

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what these are? My Ma in law used to put them on a cake for the granddaughter's birthday cake as a crinoline lady, but I'm sure they are something to do with sewing.
They are about 2" high and less than an inch wide and both are hollow and have 4 tiny holes around the base. One of them seems to have a name (?oreigo). Thanks in anticipation.

PS I hope the picture comes out!!

garinda · 31-10-2011, 15:50

They were popular in the twenties and thirties.
It probably says 'Foreign'.
You attached your own material to the body, via the holes, creating a bag, which was then usually filled with lavender, and thus the doll could stand up.

Hope this helps.

Dandy · 31-10-2011, 15:57

Many Thanks Garinda.

garinda · 31-10-2011, 15:59

Different style, but you can see how the skirt/bag would look.

Most were made in Germany, which makes me think the writing says 'Foreign', but has perhaps worn off.

Dandy · 31-10-2011, 16:17

Many thanks. Would you happen to know what they are called? I can't keep calling them "them cake thingy's".

garinda · 31-10-2011, 16:23

No.

That's why I can't find a better photograph of them with the skirt.

'Porcelain torso figurines' is the best I can come up with.

I do remember seeing Eric Knowles explain what they were once, on one of the antique shows.

You could leave an opening in the skirt front, so you could keep cotton wool in there, as it sat on a dressing table.

garinda · 31-10-2011, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dandy

Many thanks. Would you happen to know what they are called? I can't keep calling them "them cake thingy's".

I bet they'd look great on a cake. Though these ones weren't made for that.

The German factories did make a lot of porcelain figurines to go on cakes in the late C19th. Though they were usually whimsical cherubs and such, to go on wedding/christening cakes, but they were nearly always white bisque.

Being Master Bun, I've got a lot of those, which used to belong to my Grandpa.

garinda · 31-10-2011, 16:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dandy

Many thanks. Would you happen to know what they are called? I can't keep calling them "them cake thingy's".

Sussed it!

They're known as Half Dolls.

We should have known...the clue being they're half of a doll.

Half Dolls - An Introduction to Half Dolls

garinda · 31-10-2011, 16:49

Here's one more in the style of your's, showing the skirt.

I've learned something this afternoon, thanks.

If it ever comes up as a quiz question I'll know what they're called now.

Dandy · 31-10-2011, 16:58

You are a Star!!!
I can sound very knowledgable now thanks to you.
Thanks again.

grannyclaret · 01-11-2011, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Here's one more in the style of your's, showing the skirt.

I've learned something this afternoon, thanks.

If it ever comes up as a quiz question I'll know what they're called now.

you should go on Pointless,,,,

jaysay · 01-11-2011, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by grannyclaret

you should go on Pointless,,,,

Or Flog It

garinda · 01-11-2011, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by grannyclaret

you should go on Pointless,,,,

Thanks Granny C. x

People very often look at me, and saying 'Pointless'.

garinda · 01-11-2011, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

Or Flog It

I'd go on the new spin off.

Flog a Dead Horse.

Being a hopeful soul, I'd be good on there.

mobertol · 02-11-2011, 07:42

I remember my Grandad's sisters, Sarah-Ann, having these on her dressing table - when she died they got demoted to being "posh" toilet role holders by my Grand-mother. They only used that horrible Izal kind

and the soft sort was for visitors!