American Lacemaker Figures

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Sebastian - Colonial Lace Maker

Information on this figure can be found at http://www.sebastianworld.com/items/sml1/sml173.htm
The top example is an older model, #SML-173, with 5 variations listed on the web site. More seem to have been issued after that list was made.  The based is marked on the bottom in pencil, JP/c/1 along with a red sticker:

SEBASTIAN
Handcast & Hand Painted
HUDSON, MASSACHUSETTS
MINIATURES

The figure came with the original box, which is marked

6301
Colonial Lace Maker

The design of the figure was conceived by Prescott W. Baston as a ‘mother and child’ concept. He visited the Ipswich Historical Society to research the costume and cradle. The actual pillow and bobbins appear to be fairly accurate depictions of  Ipswich lacemaking equipment. This example is either SML-173 (first issued 1951/withdrawn 1975) or SML -173C (first issued 1976). It might be the 'C' version if you think about the pencil mark on the base.

The rather convoluted history of Sebastian miniatures can be found at http://www.sebastianworld.com/story/timeline.htm. Prescott W. Baston (1909-1984) made his first miniatures in 1938. There was a heavy emphasis on historical New England subjects. His son Woody is still connected with the business.

This second piece is more recent, and is actually quite nice. It has a much darker green dress than the original and Pepto-Bismol pink highlights. It came with the original box, labeled #6301 Colonial Lace

The sticker on the base reads:

A SEBASTIAN MINIATURE
DESIGNED BY
PRESCOTT W. BASTON, JR.
MADE IN CHINA
2006

I’m not in a position to figure out the ins and outs of all the later editions of this figure, and why the design attribution suddenly has gone to the original Baston’s son.

first posted 1/19/2009