Who are these little people?

[mojjax]

They have no markings . I think they are made out of a light-weight pressed fiber composite of some sort

kind of a motley lookin crew .
Any ideas

 

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[KRAZYHORSES]

do you think they are backlite?? http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...sg=AFQjCNFm7fyrXT_161WTI1rCq-e2kgT3eQ&cad=rja

 

[Breezie]

I think they are 'composition.' Composition is generally a mixture of glue mixed with sawdust. From the 1920's up to the early 1950's many doll heads, arms, and legs were made of composition, then painted. Since these people are not flaking like most compo dolls do from age and exposure to moisture, either they are in their natural state of composition (without paint) or either have some resin mixed with it. They have a German look. Interesting find, Breezie

 

[dg39]

They appear to be compressed sawdust or wood chip with a heavy coat of paint. I remember seeing some before. probably from the 1930-40 era. I think maybe German in origin.
Do not know name or character.
DG

 

[dg39]

I think they are 'composition.' Composition is generally a mixture of glue mixed with sawdust. From the 1920's up to the early 1950's many doll heads, arms, and legs were made of composition, then painted. Since these people are not flaking like most compo dolls do from age and exposure to moisture, either they are in their natural state of composition (without paint) or either have some resin mixed with it. They have a German look. Interesting find, Breezie

We were both posting the same thing. You beat me..I agree with you.
DG

 

[deepskyal]

That figure with the top hat kinda looks like W.C.Fields. Maybe it's someones artistic composition from an old movie back in the day.

Al

 

[mick56]

The first thing that popped into my head was "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt". Maybe him and his family.

 

[Red-Coat]

Just tidying up some blasts from the past (including some very ancient ones), largely for the benefit of anyone searching the site for information.

Those look to be figurines from the Syracuse Ornamental Company (Syroco) of New York. They were founded in 1890, originally mass-producing moulded architectural ornaments from compressed wood pulp mixed with binders to resemble more expensive carved wood. The end product was sufficiently robust that it could be carved to provide additional detail, sawn, drilled and screwed or nailed, and sanded before varnishing, painting or gilding if desired. They diversified into giftware and novelties and began producing these small figurines in the 1920s through to the 1940s

Some examples:

https://district.net/product/syroco-people-figurines-451