Half Doll Lamps with Mirrors c1920s

While browsing half dolls on the internet, I came across some very interesting examples. I enjoy half dolls that have a little more going for them than just being the handle to a brush or topping a pincushion or perfume bottle. These are gorgeous and may be dubbed the Spanish Dancer type.


Half Doll #1:
Amazing Half doll most likely of German origin. She is of the highest quality. She has her original silk dress that has some minor damage. Her wire frame served once a light bulb and was electrified to be a lamp. She no longer has her electrical components. The doll stands almost 11" tall. The original beveled mirror measures 6.5 x 4.5". Handmade French ribbonwork and metallic passementerie decorate the mirror. This doll has had one of her arms broken, and is not in her original pose.

all photos shown above are from ebay seller gypsy 5961.

Half Doll #2:

Lovely vintage 1920s half doll with original wire frame, clothing and mirror. Figure looks exactly the one shown in the previous photos.

all photos from icollector

Here is the same doll without a costume, wire lamp frame or mirror. She has finely detailed facial features and piano fingers. She is depicted in a very graceful pose with both arms modeled away from her body, 

wearing a light puce bodice, beaded necklace, dangling earrings and bangle bracelets on each arm . She has glossy black hair pulled to the back in a low chignon, her  large brown eyes are delicately outlined in black. 

She is a of a large size measuring 5 1/4" high (13 cm) and 6 1/" (16.5 cm) across. 

Marked on the back with impressed model number 6359. 

photos from ebay seller olwright1

Vintage Perfume Advertising Lamps

Browsing old ebay auctions, I came across a beautiful antique light up sign that was used by Richard Hudnut to advertise their perfumes and toiletries.

According to the 2007 auction listing, it still worked and lit up. The sign measures approx. 17 1/2" x 5" at the rectangle base and about 6 3/4" high to the top of the front rose accent. It is a gold color metal. The front top has a pretty decorative accent of roses with the Hudnut logo. Below the light up area, is a fancy draped design. The glass ribbed front is in good condition. No breaks. The base swings open to reveal the original 2 red light bulbs. The on/off switch is located on the back area.

This Richard Hudnut lamp below is an urn shape, cast white metal, painted gold, with three reverse painted glass panels. At the top, under the finial, there is a diffusing reservoir at the top where you would put some perfume, the heat from the light bulb would them heat it up and the fragrance would fill the room. The lamp stands 21" tall.

A third Richard Hudnut advertising lamp made up of brass and reverse painted glass. It has three glass panels on the front, back and top. The front and back glass panels have different pictures. The top glass panel has no picture. I think that maybe when the lamp was lit, the top panel would get warm and perfume would be put on the panel and give off perfume vapors to attract buyers that were in the store. The frame is solid brass. The lamp is 9 1/2 inches long by 6 1/2 inches wide by 5 inches tall.

I thought that these are very unique and beautiful pieces. If you collect perfume bottles and related items, something like this would be a neat addition if you can find another.

Pictures will be up very soon.

I did a little more research and found a Myrurgia light up sign for their perfume Maja. This piece probably dates to the 1960s-1970s and was used on a perfume counter to draw attention to the product. Made of heavy cardboard and plexiglass the lamp measures 16" x 8" x 12". One side shows the Spanish Lady holding her fan, the other side is the lighted Maja sign. The base is deep enough to display Maja perfume bottles and soap.



Here is a vintage pair of display lamps for Schiaparelli, circa 1940s, in clear glass with gold detail and painted vellum shades. The candle-shaped bottle for "Sleeping" perfume forms the base. Used at Place Vendome salon. Ht. 9 1/2 in. These sold in 2003 at Rago Arts & Auction Center.

Yanky Clover by Richard Hudnut c1898

Yanky Clover by Richard Hudnut: launched in 1898. In addition to Yanky Clover, Richard Hudnut came out with a full line of "Yanky" perfumes including: Yanky Pink, Yanky Heliotrope, Yanky Rose, Yanky Tea Rose, and Yanky Violet.

So what does it smell like? Yanky Clover is a soft amber perfume, with very sweet overtones, like fresh meadow sweet at dawn. The perfume has been discontinued since the 1950s I believe.

• Top notes: bergamot
• Middle notes: cloves, carnation, violet, orange blossom
• Base notes: amber, musk, tonka bean, orris, vetiver

A 1946 advertisement described the perfume as

“Yanky Clover Blooms all over. Like a breeze stealing in over a country meadow, ankle deep in clover. Lilting, light, young fragrance to wear everywhere. See it, sniff it, love it! Perfume…toilet water…dusting powder, $1.00 each, talc, 50 cents.”

The Reading Eagle, 1945:

“Yanky Clover TOILET WATER Richard Hudnut . One of best loved fragrances in a gloriously refreshing Toilet Water. Add this lovely American scent and see what magic it performs. For all-day glamour, pour a few drops into your rinse water when washing lingerie.3 1/3 oz bottle..$1.00”

Daytona Beach Morning Journal, 1942:

“HUDNUT YANKY CLOVER DUET . Toilet Water & Talc. Two bath luxuries in a scent she'll love — it's Yanky Clover, the "All American" odeur. $1.00 and Her Favorite Perfume! Give Richard Hudnut Yanky Clover! - The All-American perfume she prizes. In attractive box, $1.00”

Jerome Parfumeur

Jerome Parfumeur was located in Paris and Ashbury Park. Launched fragrances in the 1930s-1940s.

Parfumerie Royale and Parfumerie de Montespan

Parfumerie Royale, a notable French perfumery, was founded in 1869 by François Crucq. Situated at 13 rue de Trevise in Paris, the establishment quickly gained a reputation for crafting exquisite fragrances. The company was distinguished by its commitment to quality and innovation, characteristics that set it apart in the competitive world of French perfumery during the late 19th century.

After François Crucq's passing in 1887, his son Auguste Crucq took over the reins of Parfumerie Royale. Under Auguste's leadership, the company continued to flourish, upholding the high standards set by his father. Auguste's dedication to the craft ensured that Parfumerie Royale remained a prominent name in the industry, celebrated for its luxurious and finely crafted perfumes. The transition marked not only a continuation of the family's legacy but also an evolution in the brand's offerings, as Auguste infused his own vision and expertise into the company's products.

In 1889, François Crucq Jr., the brother of Auguste Crucq, launched his own perfumery business under the name F. Crucq. This new venture marketed cosmetics and toiletries with names similar to those sold by Auguste's Parfumerie Royale, creating confusion among consumers and leading to a legal dispute between the siblings. The case, detailed in the 1896 edition of Journal des tribunaux de commerce, culminated in a judgment against François Crucq Jr. He was ordered to cease the sale of products named Similior and Nigérine, among others, that were too similar to those of Auguste's company. Furthermore, François Crucq Jr. was required to remove the initial "F" from his signature and all business signage and documents. The court also ruled that he could not use his surname alone for his business without appending the phrase "eldest son," and he had to eliminate any claims of founding the business in 1869 from his promotional materials, including circulars, prospectuses, bills, and labels.

In 1926, Gaston Crucq was named as a successor within the family business, ensuring the continuation of the Parfumerie Royale legacy. Meanwhile, François Crucq Fils Aîné, adopting the title "eldest son," established a new venture, Parfumerie de Montespan, in 1928. This new business was located at 25, rue Bergère, Paris, signifying another chapter in the Crucq family's involvement in the perfume industry. This expansion demonstrated the enduring influence and entrepreneurial spirit of the Crucq family in the realm of French perfumery.

Perfume List:

• 1920 Ambree
• 1920 Fougere
• 1920 Francaise
• 1945 Joida

c1945

Sari Perfumes

Sari, a short-lived perfumery company from France, operated during the 1920s and 1930s, known primarily for its production of perfumes. Little information is available about the company, highlighting its relative obscurity in perfume history. 

An intriguing connection emerges with the perfume Lune de Miel, shared with another perfumery entity named Benoit, suggesting a possible affiliation or collaboration between the two brands. Despite its brief tenure, Sari managed to market Lune de Miel successfully, as evidenced by its availability for purchase until at least 1932. 

The limited historical footprint of Sari reflects the transient nature of many smaller perfumery firms of the early 20th century, often overshadowed by larger, more enduring brands. Researchers seeking further details on Sari may explore specialized perfume archives or vintage collections, where additional insights into its products and legacy could potentially be uncovered.

L'Institut de Beaute & Klytia Perfumes

L'Institut de Beaute, of 26 place Vendome, Paris. A beauty salon established in 1895 by Victor Francois Merle with Elise-Marie Valentin Le Brun. The beauty salon sold cosmetics, toiletries and some of the finest limited edition perfume presentations, most likely only available at the Paris salon. The salon later moved to 222 rue de Rivoli, Paris. They sold products to the USA under the name Klytia, as this was an affiliated company established in 1895 by Merle.

Madame Valentin Le Brun had royal appointments from the Khedive of Egypt (possibly Abbas Hilmi Pasha), the Queen of England, The Queen of Spain (possibly Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg), Princess Eulalia (Princess Eulalia Maria Antoine Eleonore of Thurn and Taxis) and others. She was also awarded the (Silver Palms medal) as an Officier d'Academie de France.

Klytia is still producing skin care products today, under the Klytia label and the L'Institut de Beaute label (here's a hint for anyone interested in trying their products, I have found plenty of L'Institut de Beaute products at the discount stores Marshalls, and TJ Maxx, all items are priced half or lower of what they retail at higher end stores.)

The perfumes of Klytia:

• Bonheur du Jour 
• Bouquet de Mai 
• Bouquet du Roy
• Cleo 
• Corté Impériale de Russia
• Deliria de Calvi
• El Jazmin
• El Radinu
• El Secret de Astarte
• Elika
• Jardin de Mohana
• Jasmin
• Le Porte-Bonheur
• Le Prefere de Rejane
• Le Vertige de Simone
• Les Fiancailles
• Mon Bonheur
• Mond Fetiche
• Mon Fol Amor
• Mouchoir de Khedive
• Perfume de Madame Recamier
• Perfume Klytia
• Perfume Principe Jaime
• Rêve de Quatre Cœurs
• Rose de 4 Cœurs
• Souverain Perfume
• Tamara
• Violette de Montagnes

The perfumes of L'Institut de Beaute:

• 1895 Bouquet de l'Empire
• 1907 Klytia
• 1910 Bouquet L'Empereur
• 1911 L'Amour Antique
• 1920 Elyane
• 1925 aube
• 1925 Exquis Printemps
• 1930 Eulalia 
• 1931 Le Bouquet du Khedive (named after the Khedive of Egypt)
• 1931 Parfum Djavidan

Harem Life - Page 245, 1931:

".. in the market as I am when I order Le Bouquet du Khedive or the Parfum Djavidan from the Institut de Beaute, in Paris."

Harem Life - Page 245, 1931:

".. in the market as I am when I order Le Bouquet du Khedive or the Parfum Djavidan from the Institut de Beaute, in Paris."

Jacques Heim

Jacques Heim. Couture house of Isidore & Jeanne Heim established a fur business in 1898 at 15 avenue Matignon, Paris. Their son Jacques introduced day and evening wear in the 1920s and sold perfumes to their clients in 1930 and introduced them to the public around 1945. Jacques Heim, who was Jewish, went into hiding from the Germans during WWII, managed to keep his boutique in business in Monte Carlo.

Fragonard Dupes of Popular Perfumes

For many years, both the French perfume companies Molinard and Fragonard created their own versions of popular perfumes.

Charles Fay Perfumes

Charles Fay, established at 9 rue de la Paix, Paris,  in 1850 by Charles Fay and called Maison Fay. They were purveyors of perfumes, cosmetics and toiletries. They were best known for their powder Veloutine, and therefore changed their name to Parfumerie Veloutine. They won a gold medal at the 1900 Exposition.