{"product_id":"ornament-knee-hugger-pixie-elf-red-felt-japan-vintage-1950s","title":"Ornament: Knee Hugger Pixie Elf, Red Felt, Japan, Vintage 1950s","description":"\u003cp\u003eCurled up with his knees tucked to his chin and a brass bell at the tip of his cap, this little red pixie is the knee hugger elf that watched over so many mid-century Christmas trees. He still wears the same sly, sideways smile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unmarked\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/strong\u003e Felt body and cap, molded rubber face, knit cap cuff, metal jingle bell\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.5\" tall seated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan (original \"Made in Japan\" label on back)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vintage 1950s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very Good. The red felt remains rich with light age wear, and the face paint is intact. One elf has two very light red dots on his face, not damage, mfg. flaw.  Collar color varies by elf: choose Green for the darker collar, or Faded Gray-Green for the one that has mellowed with age (see variant photos). Please review photos closely before purchasing, as all sales are final.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe wears a tall red felt cap with a white knit cuff and a brass jingle bell, a pointed star-cut felt collar, and white mittens clasped around his knees. His face is hand-painted with wide blue eyes, fine lashes, rosy cheeks, and a small red smile. A red hanging cord is included, so he's ready for the tree, or he sits just as happily on a shelf or mantel edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the collector filling out a vintage Christmas display, or anyone who remembers a pixie just like him peeking out from their grandmother's tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnee hugger elves were mass-produced in Japan during the 1950s and 1960s for the American market. They were sold inexpensively in dime stores and became a fixture of mid-century holiday decorating. Their fixed, folded pose let them sit on nearly any ledge, and their painted big-eyed faces reflected the whimsical style of Japanese holiday exports of the era. They have found a second wave of popularity since 2005, when \u003cem\u003eThe Elf on the Shelf\u003c\/em\u003e by Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell introduced a new generation to the watchful Christmas elf. That book sent many collectors looking for the originals that inspired the look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLooking for his gray-green-suited cousin with red collar? Browse our shop for our vintage gray-green knee hugger elf, a charming pair for the tree.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Antigo Trunk","offers":[{"title":"Green","offer_id":43331226534097,"sku":"U930G","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Faded Gray-Green","offer_id":43331227517137,"sku":"U930GG","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0624\/1733\/8577\/files\/IMG_9362_fd08ecbb-ad1a-4810-b70b-35be5bdd172d.jpg?v=1790442198","url":"https:\/\/www.antigotrunk.com\/products\/ornament-knee-hugger-pixie-elf-red-felt-japan-vintage-1950s","provider":"Antigo Trunk","version":"1.0","type":"link"}