Decorative Arts, Figurines, Wooden Mannequin Head, Hat Stand, Mid 20th Century

Mannequin Head Hat or Wig Stand
Mid 20th Century
Painted wood
14 inches high, 5.25 inches wide
$750

A whimsical mid-century hat or wig stand in the form of a wooden bust sculpture of a dapper man. The style overall is related to the Art Deco movement, having sharp contrasting white and black colors and repeating geometric shapes and simple lines. The man’s face is hand-painted on a cream white ground, with neat parted black hair and with bold red color to brighten his cheeks and lips. The head is a simple rounded shape, with a support to form his neck (painted as if he is wearing on tie), raised on a stepped rounded white base, with a red ring highlight. This stand is reminiscent of various ceramic hat stands formed as a woman’s head that were produced by the Stangl Pottery Company, Trenton, New Jersey, in the mid 20th century. Other earlier extant American, English, and continental painted examples made in paper mache and wood are known, some considered folk art. Figurine heads of this type are generally said to have been made for display of hats in a millinery shop or the storage of hats or wigs at home. This example, as a male head, is apparently unusual.

Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall light toning, wear, and handing, particularly to painted surface.