Pincushion Dolls

Pincushion dolls are not really dolls and often were not even pincushions. Some collectors use the term "half-doll." The top half of each doll was made of porcelain. The edge of the half-doll was made with several small holes for thread, and the doll was stitched to a fabric body with a voluminous skirt. The finished figure was used to cover a hot pot of tea, powder box, pincushion, whisk broom, or lamp. They were made in sizes from less than an inch to over 9 inches high. Pincushion dolls were often hand-painted. Most date from the early 1900s to the 1950s. Collectors often find just the porcelain doll without the fabric skirt. For more information, explore our identification guides for pottery and porcelain.