294. MOD PIXIE PAIR

I couldn't help but be charmed by the sight of this pair of mod porcelain couple. They definitely exude a genuine 1960s vibe--from the pixie (or Twiggy) haircut of the girl to the fashionable Carnaby outfit of the cross-legged dandy. I assume that these are cake toppers, although they have separate bases. Too bad I have no use for this winsome vintage pair, when everything was mad about mod!

266. Sulit Kitsch: 50s LADY HEAD BUSTS

Don't you just love sulit.com.ph? The country's biggest online sell-trade-buy marketplace has the widest, weirdest, funkiest assortment of goodies any collector would go crazy for. One of my most recent unexpected finds is this pair of small busts, made of plaster, representing 2 fashionable ladies from the 50s. All of 6 inches tall, they realistically represent the midecentury look gal--from the puffed hairdo, to their mod, stylish clothes.

The first lady head bust looks almost Oriental, with rosy cheeks, red lips and puffed up hair held with a green bandanna tied in a knot under her chin. She wears a green blazer with padded shoulders, over a cream colored blouse, a style so much in vogue in the war and early post-war years.

The second lady wears a more daring outfit, with a plunging neckline, accessorized by a flower on her puff-swept hair. With her heavy make up, she looks like she's ready to paint the town red!

The back of the plaster busts are incised with what looked like scripts in gibberish, but upon closer examination, I recognized them as Burmese letters--which I can't read anyway. Maybe these ladies represent important women from Burma--actresses maybe, but Ican't be sure. What I am certain is that this kitschy pair are worthy collectibles, flash from the 50s golden period of Hollywood glamor and style.

253. HULA-BALOO!

When Hawaii became America's newest state in 1959, its native culture fascinated American mainlanders--including its sinuous dance--the "hula". Inspired by dancing "Leilanis" , many merchandisers cashed in onthis iconic image of a hip-swaying Hawaiian maiden in a (missing) grass skirt and came up with nodders and bobbers meant for car dashboards and curio cabinets. This Made-in-Japan example, straight from the 50s,  falls into that category, but is much more functional. For one, the figurine is a bobber and ash tray in one, and is made of more expensive ceramic than the usual plaster cast models. The upper body is attached to its lower part with a spring. When shaken, the figure wobbles, mimicking the swaying moves of graceful hula dancers. So kitschy...so tacky...so collectible!!

210. FIGURAL GOOGLIE CREAMER

I found this googlie-eyed creamer staring at me in an antique shop in Devonport, New Zealand, a charming, seaside resort in Auckland. Figural creamers have been around for so long and most are in the shape of cows, people heads and other animals. This one though, is quite a character. I did a bit of research but found nothing of this houseware collectible that definitely dates from the 1950s. For some reason, it reminded me of a man-in-the-moon or one of those nursery rhyme characters--Humpty Dumpty perhaps. Maybe it was part of a set or a premium giveaway from a now-extinct product. I thought I paid a bit too much for this creamer (30NZ$, or close to a thousand bucks), but then I'd be whacking my head now if I hadn't gotten it. I am sure I will be staring back at this googlie creamer each time I drink my coffee, amused by the thought that I will be as wide-eyed as him in the morning!!

199. PINCUSHIONS OF THE WORLD

Here's a parade of international chalkware beauties meant to appeal to domesticated moms who loved sewing. These figural pincushions--representing such nationalities as Indian, Chinese, Scot, etc--date from the early 60s; each bust is topped with a flannel-covered cushion where one can stick pins and needles. Cheaply made in Japan, they are nonetheless, brimming with colorful cuteness, especially when lined up on the shelf, don't you think? I just wish they made a Philippine version--a girl with a pot on her head that doubles as a pincushion would have been appropriate!

184. Made in Occupied Japan: NUBIAN FIGURINES

After World War II, from 1945 to1952, items imported from Japan to the U.S. had to be marked with "Made in Occupied Japan" or "Occupied Japan", to denote America's conquest of the Oriental power. These 2 decorative figurines, depicting Nubian court musicians, are from that period in our war history, stamped with the Occupied Japan mark. These may have come from a set. Black figurines are very desirable for Occupied Japan collectors as only a few were made. Popular figurines often depicted Asian ethnic stereotypes, European court characters as well as animal figures.

183. PLASTERCAST ASIAN FIGURAL LAMPS

Here are three kitschy lamp finds from the scroungers' capital of the world--Bangkal, Makati. I remember handcarrying the two his 'n hers matching mandarin lamps made of heavy plaster--from Evangelista all the way to my office. I couldn't find a darn cab!! They are, however, well-made and complete--only needing a pair of lampshades. I have since rewired them and they now occupy a special place in my 50s-furnished house. The middle, equally tacky lamp is Art Deco-inspired, showing an Oriental woman and her feline friend--a leopard, I think. My pet cat however, dislodged the lamp from its small table, damaging the escayola nose of the poor feline. Other than that slight defect, the lamp just works fine. Who would have thought that there would be a second life for these cheap, American-made accent lamps--now avidly collected by 'mid-century moderne' collectors--when tacky was the new 50s fad?

140. Retro-Plastic: CELEBRITY DESK CALENDAR

A cheap plastic 'perpetual' desk calendar with date, day and month adjustments at the back. Just a turn of the plastic knob will make you up to date for your daily appointments! The featured celebrity is the iconic Audrey Hepburn, who was all the rage in the 50s and 60s ("Sabrina", "Roman Holiday", "Wait Until Dark"). Some may call this too kitschy, but I think it's better than some of the griahsly-designed desk calendars that I receive every New Year!

107. ELF YOURSELF

A trio of Xmas elf ornaments, made of thin celluloid, felt and gold fabric. I found these in a Q. C. junkyard, wonderfully preserved all these years. Xmas tree ornaments like these were widely made in Japan from the 50s thru the 70s. Off-season, I can always use these Santa's elves and transform them into Snow White's dwarves. Which means, I need 4 more!

106. HEART PLAQUE

If you don't like to wear your heart on your sleeve, maybe you could hang it on the wall--like this '60s decor: a cheap glazed ceramic heart plaque trimmed with lacey gold-edged hearts all around and delicate pink flowers. Was this a wedding party favor? A craft project? I wonder why the space in the middle was left blank. Were you supposed to fill it in with your lovey-dovey's photo? Probably not, as I see no clip or slot to hold a photo. Is this all there is to it?

The origin of this heart plaque is a mystery, and so is Love.

104. MEMO PAD & PEN HOLDER

Now here's a stationery holder from the 1960s that comes with a sick cartoon joke, the kind that you'd probably find in Hugh Hefner's mansion. I thought at first this was a napkin holder, but it comes with a holder for a pen or a pencil, so it was obviously meant to be placed on a phone table for scribbling and taking down notes. The tile is definitely for a bathroom--maybe the illustration was added later. The frame is of plated brass. Was this some kind of a giveaway that medical representatives or detailmen gave away to doctors? Or was this a recycling project using excess bathroom tiles? This memo pad holder is so kitschy bad, it makes a good collectible!

102. HERON PLANTER

I just love the graceful lines of this ceramic planter showing a pair of curled-necked herons on a marsh with a built-in vase opening. I thought at first that these were pink flamingoes, which were fave 50s symbols, but the straight beaks were a giveaway. Again, a made in Japan piece, so commonly available in any bazaar or curio shop in the 50s and 60s. One of the heron's necks has broken off in two places, dimishing the value considerably--but since I paid next to nothing fot this planter, it really doesn't matter. But, wait, it does matter! I love this piece!

101. NUN'S HEAD REVISITED

A lady head vase? More like a Mother Superior Head Vase! This is actually a cheap, Japan-made planter, from the 1960s. These are harder to find than the generic lady heads, but are made pretty much the same way--thick, protruding black eyelashes included. Unfortunately, some of the nun's well-polished fingertips have broken off, but this does not detract to the duotone beauty of this nice thrift shop find.

98. Encore! BALLERINA FIGURINES

This set of delicate porcelain ballet figurines makes an encore as collectible kitsch! Made in Japan (stickers on two figures are intact), the 4 prima donnas are missing two more companions (alas! I saw them sold at the Greenhills fair!). Though cheaply made, the delicate figurines are highly detailed, right down to their ruffled tutu's spangled with gold. What struck me too was the campy, emotive poses--certified drama queens on the dance stage! It still is possible to get individual figurines despite their fragile nature--and part of the thrill is completing a set. I just wonder if these ballerinas have their male counterpart in tights, now that should be interesting. Let's pas de deux!

93. THIS LITTLE PIGGY WENT A-NODDIN'

A noddin' porcine find that nods..bobs..and makes goo-goo eyes! Nodders were popular novelty decors in the 50s and 60s, and this is just one of those millions of kitschy figurines made from those flashy, funky decades. Most nodders were made especially for car dashboards, so that when the vehicle is in motion, the nodder sways. Nodders were made to represent every inconceivable figure known to man--from Hawaiian hula girls, baseball and rock star idols to animals such as hush dogs and--piggies! This example is notable for its flickr eyes, which also move as the head--attached separately to the body using a spring-- bobs at the slightest touch. Give this collectible a hog! Oink, oink!

82. POODLE TV LAMP

Here goes another poodle collectible, this time, a TV lamp in the favorite 50s colors--pink and black! The twin poodles flanking the fiberglass shade sport yarn hair. This ceramic lamp horror was meant to be place on top of a TV to provide mood lighting, in case the light from the TV screen is not good enough. These were so popular in the 1950s that almost every home had them. I found this lamp in great working condition from a dealer who was downsizing his merchandise upon the closure of his shop in a mall. So he gave it to me for a bark, err, a song.

79. 50s Flash: PINK VASE

This strangely shaped ceramic vase with asymmetric handles is a quintessential 50s kitsch! Everything from its free form, the flowery relief decoration, the fluted opening, the weird Japanese-style base to the trashy pale pink color sprayed with gold glitter--all scream bad taste. Which is why, I LOVE it!

63. HAND VASE: Hands Across Time

Hand vases were popular motifs in the 50s and 60s, and a lot of these kitschy ceramics were made cheaply in Japan. They were kept atop tocadors and dressing tables, with a thousand and one variations: some held cornucopias and shells, and one example featured outstretched fingers meant to hold rings. This manicured example holds a vase that looked eerily like a funeral urn to me. Could it have held someone's dearly departed's ashes, perhaps? But I love the symmetry of this kitschy piece. I'm sure The Thing (from Addam's Family) will also fall in love with this one!

53. NOTHING TO WEAR Coin Bank

"Nothing To Wear" proclaims this 1950s ceramic bank in the shape of a model mannekin. So if you fill up this coin bank to overflowing, would you have enough funds to wear a Dior? I doubt it. I don't think you'll have enough even for a Divisoria duster!

43. AFRIKANA FIGURINES

Found these '50s figurines representing three African maidens a-dancing--complete with grass skirts-- in a local thrift shop. Ethnic types that included Indians, Asians and Africans, were favorite models for cheap figural decoratives from the 1940s-60s. This trio must have been kept in a glass cabinet; they are perfectly preserved after all these years. Could they have been the inspiration for The Supremes?