Relpo Lady Planter Head Vase, 7 1/2", #K-1612 in Green with Bow and Faux Pearls

Beautiful Inarco head vase, planter done in green, #K-1612.

Measures 7 1/2" high.

She is marked on the base, K-1612 and stamped Relpo.

She features blonde, short hair with a green bow, green top with white and silver frilly top along with a faux pearl necklace and earrings.

It is a beautiful piece, which she in fine condition, having no chips, cracks or hairlines. Wear commensurate with age and use. There is a speck of paint missing on the left eye and the grey spots on the green top are able to be removed, but we are leaving that up to buyer, as we do not want to touch the paint, it is, however, removable.

Head vases originally were called "Florist Ware" back in the late 1940's and early 1950's. Japan was one Country to source many low-cost exports to the United States, which included head vases. In the States there were producers such as Betty Lou Nichols Ceramics, Roseville, Royal Copley, Royal Haeger, Shawnee Pottery, Standford Pottery and Weller.

Head vases were made in a variety of designs. The elegant, model looking head vases became one of the most popular. The faux pearl necklaces and earrings, hair bows, eyelashes and applied textiles were the most sought after. The manicured hand quickly became distinctive. You can see a bit of elegant femininity within some of the pieces.

In the mid 1960's, the elegant head vases peaked and designs became simpler and most often smaller. This was to reduce costs and increase profitability. Earlier head vases topped 8" in height, newer ones were often 3" to 4" tall. Head vases today are very collectible and are many times what they used to be in value. Some depict A-list personalities, while many can be identified by their hallmarks and you will also find some that do not have any identifying marks at all. It is the subject's hair or clothing that will tell you item's age, if not its manufacturer. (Information credited to: Collecting Head Vases by Barron).