Vigo County Historical Society

Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - February 6, 1983

By Helen M. Fagg

Vigo County Historical Society

Half dolls, usually referred to as pincushion dolls, were popular during the first qurter of the century and at least one was found in most every home. These little figures were first produced in Germany but thousands of copies were made in Japan. They represented demure and high-born ladies, flappers, stage characters and clowns. Most of the dolls were women, but some of men and child dolls were also made.

The dolls were molded with a flange or sew holes at the base for attachment to utilitarian objects. Although many of them were used to top pincushions, they were also used to adorn powder boxes, cologne bottles, lamps and were even used as handles for parasols. In Europe the larger dolls were fastened to a wire frame and used as tea cosies. half dolls could be purchased unattached for the buyer to complete or already fastened to an object. The complted dolls were lavishly decorated with satin and velvet skirts and ribbons and bows. On some of the pincushion dolls china legs were attached to the front of the cushion. Many of the dolls had interesting accessories molded in the hands. Some held flowers, opera glasses and necklaces, and the child dolls sometimes held a toy or a piece of fruit.

The two dolls in the museum collection are flappers. One is attached to a pincushion and the other to a small brush. They were once owned by Blanche Rippetoe and were a gift to the society from Mrs. Waldo Mitchell in 1976.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., will be closed until March 1.