Vintage Bird on A Branch String Holder

Pottery : String Holder : Bird

 

This 1950s vintage ceramic string holder is referred to as Bird on a Branch in the Garage Sale & Flea Market Annual price guide. It is covered in fine crazing and has a painted banner on the front which states Souvenir of Norfolk, VA. The bird's beak is formed from the small scissors that sit in his head. A ball of string is inside and is pulled from a hole on the bottom. There is a hole on the backside which allows for mounting on a wall. I am not sure if the scissors are original as they appear awfully shiny for something this old and are incised made in China. Not sure who made this item, but it looks a lot like Shawnee or Royal Copley. The piece measures about 6.25" tall to the scissors handle and about 5.75" wide from branch to tail feathers. There is an underglaze chip on the rim of the opening near the tail, but no other chips or cracks.

Item ID: 1406