Today's antique finds

[Barb L]

New to this site. Today I found these little beauties at a local shop. They seem hard for me to identify. Maybe someone here knows something about them. Thanks in advance..

 

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[Red-Coat]

Welcome to Tnet.

You haven't given a size, but I assume they're tiny. I believe they're decorative cake-toppers. The ring-holding cherubs were used on wedding cakes and the rings were gilded (I can see traces of that remaining). Sometimes they're holding other things of a celebratory nature such as a wine goblet or a trumpet (also gilded). Usually they're made in Germany and sometimes have a maker mark. Late 19th to early 20th would be most likely.

Cute little things.

 

[Kray Gelder]

I think they're called piano babies. Are yours bisque or porcelain, and are there any bottom marks?

 

[Kray Gelder]

Wedding cake toppers, not piano. Makes sense.

 

[Barb L]

Welcome to Tnet.

You haven't given a size, but I assume they're tiny. I believe they're decorative cake-toppers. The ring-holding cherubs were used on wedding cakes and the rings were gilded (I can see traces of that remaining). Sometimes they're holding other things of a celebratory nature such as a wine goblet or a trumpet (also gilded). Usually they're made in Germany and sometimes have a maker mark. Late 19th to early 20th would be most likely.

Cute little things.

 

[Barb L]

Thank you for the reply. The bottom markings read japan..

 

[Red-Coat]

Thank you for the reply. The bottom markings read japan..

You're welcome

Origin marking in English became a mandatory requirement for goods imported to the US following the McKinley Tariff Act of 1891; and then from 1914 the amended Act also required the words “Made in…” or equivalent (although not rigorously enforced until around 1921). Just the word “Japan” didn’t become acceptable again until 1952, so these likely are either c.1891 to c.1914 (c.1921 at the latest), or post 1952. My money would be on the former.