Figurine Gallery

Little Wooden Midshipman shop sign, c.1750 (wood)

3071350 Little Wooden Midshipman shop sign, c.1750 (wood) by English School, (18th century); 85.5x35x29 cm; Charles Dickens Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: From the 1790s the Little Wooden Midshipman was the well-loved symbol for William HeatherA‚ nautical shop and academy at 157 Leadenhall Street, later known as Nories'. Dickens was so fond of the Midshipman that he gave him a starring role in Dombey and Son as the sign of Sol Gil, nautical equipment maker. He also describes him in The Uncommerical Traveller. The shop at 156 Minories was indeed bombed and later demolished. In 1946, the firm loaned the Midshipman to the Charles Dickens Museum); A© Charles Dickens Museum ; A© Charles Dickens Museum, London; English, out of copyright

© © Charles Dickens Museum © Charles Dickens Museum, London / Bridgeman Images

Good Luck Charms of Nenette and Rintintin bring good luck

WW1 era France - The tiny yarn-doll good luck charms of Nenette and Rintintin bring good luck'. Popular during the First World War in Paris and beyond. Date: circa 1910s

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

1st, Bonheur, Bring, Doll, Dolls, Figure, Figures, Figurine, Figurines, France, French, Great, Hanging, Happiness, Nenette, Pleasure, Portent, Provide, Rintintin, Smiles, Smiling, War, World, Ww1, Wwi

Margaret Whigham at the British Porcelain Ball

Margaret Whigham (1912 - 1993), British society figure, debutante of the year in 1930. Later Mrs Charles Sweeny, after marrying the American golfer, and then Duchess of Argyll, whose scandalous divorce case, involving the photographs of the "headless" man plunged her into disgrace and penury. Pictures as a Coalport figure of "Old Madrid" at the British Porcelain Ball held at Claridge's in aid of the National Birthday Trust Fund for the extension of maternity services. The Pageant of British Porcelain introduced groups and tableaux representing various well-known varieties of British china and porcelain. Bit niche. Date: 1931

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans