Napcoware Lady Planter, Head Vase, 5 3/4", #8496 in Black with Faux Pearl Necklace

eautiful Napcoware head vase, planter done in black, #8496.

Measures 5 3/4" high.

She is marked on the base, 8496 along with the gold and red foil sticker, Napcoware Import-Japan.

She features blonde, short hair, wearing a black bow, white turtleneck with a black blazer and faux pearl necklace and earrings.

It is a beautiful piece, which she in fine condition, having no chips, cracks or hairlines.
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).