c.1930s Japanese “Wetting Baby” Doll with Bottle and Original Box
A charming c.1930s Japanese miniature novelty “Wetting Baby” doll with functional water reservoir, miniature feeding bottle, original illustrated box and surviving printed operating instructions.
This unusual miniature “Wetting Baby” novelty doll was manufactured in Japan, probably during the 1930s, and was designed to imitate one of the increasingly popular functions of larger baby dolls of the period — drinking and wetting.
The tiny baby is moulded in a permanent seated position with bent legs, one hand resting beside the leg and the other raised beside the head. It has a peach-coloured painted finish, simply painted facial features and a small opening at the mouth. A second opening is visible on the underside of the body and forms part of the doll's simple water mechanism.
The doll retains its small clear feeding bottle with red teat, an important original accessory required to operate the wetting feature.
Remarkably, the original cardboard box also survives. Printed in red, blue, yellow and cream, it carries the name “Wetting Baby” and colourful illustrations of babies and a feeding bottle. The box is particularly significant because it retains the original printed operating instructions.
These read:
“Wetting Baby - Fill doll with water by removing milk bottle holding finger over small hole in base then insert milk bottle which will hold water in body of doll. When milk bottle is removed out comes the water.”
The wording explains the doll's wonderfully simple mechanism. Water was placed inside the hollow body while the lower opening was covered. Inserting the bottle into the mouth apparently helped retain the water, and removing it allowed the water to escape through the opening in the base.
The doll remains in excellent condition for its age, retaining its painted finish and original bottle. The cardboard packaging displays expected age-related wear, including creasing, edge losses, staining and distortion, but remains substantially intact and legible.
Features
Measurements: 55h x 65w x 35d mm
Condition: Excellent
Markings: “Wetting Baby - Fill doll with water by removing milk bottle holding finger over small hole in base then insert milk bottle which will hold water in body of doll. When milk bottle is removed out comes the water.”
Date Note: Date is an estimate based on available research and stylistic features. If you have additional information, please contact us to helpupdate our records.
Made from the following materials
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