Gemma Taccogna Heads

I've always admired those antique French papier mache heads, the ones once used as hat stands. Case in point: This adorable girl from Dove Place Antiques. Love the bright colors, almost mod features, and baldish hairline.



Sadly, the pricing on these heads always put them out of my reach.

But nothing comes between a collector and her mania. Especially not when there's ebay.

After a few searches for "papier mache heads", I am now the proud owner of not one, but two head-shaped hat stands. Meet the twins:



They are both Gemma Taccogna, circa 1960s. And I love them.

Now someone tell me how, HOW, did I manage to get this old and not encounter Gemma Taccogna? She made THE most wonderful, whimsmical papier mache creations, with beautiful mod lines that manage to be folksy at the same time.

Of course, now that I own the two Gemma heads, I'm lusting for a third. I've got my eye on this grand-mammy of a head, 16" high, at Mod Hare.



And the vintage crackling makes it that much better!

Heads Up

Why am I so taken with folk art heads? Is it because they look so surreal, sitting there disembodied like that?

Or is it just that homespun, primitive charm, as exemplified by this antique milliner's head from Hanes and Ruskin antiques (sorry, folks, she's already sold). Somehow, the bashed-up nose makes her all that more adorable.



I have the perfect boyfriend for our milliner's head: This 19th-Century stoneware crock lid from Olde Hope Antiques.



Gotta love that wide-eyed look of surprise . . . and the very 19th-C moustache.

Finally, Lord do I wish my budget could accomodate this Southern Face Jug by Burlon Craig, currently for sale at Mud, Sweat and Tears.



Looks to me like this one has mischief on his mind.

Winged Creatures

I've been a bit obsessed with angels and fairies lately. Perhaps because more than a few of us could use the help of an angel or a fairy godmother these days.

That being said, I recently purchased this piece from Amanda Blake's Etsy shop, This Is All I Know.



I love how Amanda plays vintage-looking, quite serious figures against fantastical landscapes or whimsmical garb.

The thoughtful expressions of her subjects, combined with the wings, reminds me of folk artist Debbee Thibault's multitude of angels and fairies. This party fairy is being offered exclusively by Earth Angel Toys.



Here's wishing everyone a guardian angel or a sprinkling of pixie dust!