Q: I’m trying to identify a vanity set that belonged to my great-grandmother. I believe it’s a Schaefer & Vater piece. It is made in pink porcelain, antiqued in a soft green. The figurine is of an Asian woman sitting cross-legged in a kimono and holding a fan. Holes in her head hold hatpins. The hair receiver has a woman’s face with headdress and either enamel or glaze “jewels.” There is also a little dish with a “jewel.” I’d like to verify if this piece is a Schaefer & Vater piece, the age, any history, and value.

A: Schafer & Vater was founded by Gustav Schaefer and Guenther Vater and was in business in Volkstedt-Rudolstadt, Germany, from 1890 to 1962. This mark was used beginning about 1896. The company made small ceramic items as well as figurines, dolls’ heads, and figural liquor bottles. It is best known for its amusing figurals. Vanity sets, or dresser sets, were popular from about 1860 to 1920. Some included a talcum shaker, trinket box or powder box, and tray. Sears Roebuck & Company began importing Schafer & Vater porcelain in 1910. Your great-grandmother’s hair receiver pictures an Egyptian queen and is sometimes called “Queen Nefertiti.” The trinket dish seems to be the same pattern. Although hatpin holders were also made in that pattern, your grandmother’s hatpin holder is of a different pattern, so they probably weren’t part of the same set originally. Value of your hair receiver is about $125, the hatpin holder is worth about $100 and the trinket dish about $50.

porcelain figurine box tray vanity dresser set

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