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Offered here fromthe dougfinds collection of curated fashion, accessories, clothing,collectibles, and unique finds is this exceptionally preserved 1981 SchmidBeatrix Potter “Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit” hand-painted porcelain rotating musicbox, complete with its remarkably scarce original factory paper hangtag.
Now this isthe kind of survivor that makes a vintage collectible considerably moreinteresting.
Schmid transformedBeatrix Potter's beloved Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit into a wonderfulthree-dimensional scene: the anxious mother cat, dressed in pink, tends to oneof her mischievous kittens beside a tiny wash basin. Books form the kitten'smakeshift perch, a towel rests nearby, and the entire vignette sits upon asoftly colored pale-yellow musical base.
The details areterrific — Mrs. Twitchit's expressive green eyes, the kitten looking upwardtoward her, the tiny floral-decorated wash basin, individually modeled paws andclothing folds, and the wonderfully soft palette characteristic of BeatrixPotter's storybook world.
But this example hassomething most survivors lost decades ago:
Itsoriginal Schmid paper hangtag is still attached.
The tag identifiesthe piece as Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit, tells her Beatrix Potter story,identifies the tune as It's a Small World, and carries the originalmanufacturing information:
- Schmid
- Hand Painted
- © F. Warne & Co., New York and London 1981
- No. 262033
- Made in Japan
- Tune: It's a Small World
- Original factory paper character hangtag still attached
- Approximately 6¾–7 inches tall; please see photographed measurements
The porcelain itselfis in outstanding vintage condition. No chips, cracks, fleabites orrepairs were found, and the glossy hand-painted finish remains wonderfullybright and clean.
The mechanicalmovement has also been tested and is working properly. Wind themechanism from underneath and the complete porcelain scene rotates while themusic box plays It's a Small World.
A videodemonstrating operation is included with the listing.
The underside isparticularly nice for a collector because the original construction remainsplainly visible, including the wooden mounting plate and musical movementhousing, while the base itself carries the molded JAPAN marking.
This is more thansimply another loose Beatrix Potter figurine. Between the 1981 date,Japanese manufacture, functioning rotating musical movement, superb porcelaincondition and surviving original Schmid hangtag, this is an unusuallycomplete example for the Beatrix Potter, Schmid or vintage music-box collector.
Pleasereview all photographs carefully, as they are considered part of thedescription and provide the best representation of this item's condition.
Thankyou for visiting dougfinds! Alyse and I encourage you to browse our dougfindsStore, where you'll find all of our carefully curated collection of fashion,accessories, collectibles, antiques, and unique finds. Please feel freeto message us at any time with your comments or questions.
Collector Search Terms
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