Willow Tree Figurines

[Turin]

Sentimental and tasteful or hideous and cringe? I can’t make up my mind!

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.willowtree.com/amp/shop/sculptures/figures/

There don't appear to be many of these figurines that have darker skin tones?

Well no, but then they’d have to make every combination of men, women, babies and children in every combination of skin colours, so how would anywhere be able to stock them all? “I want the Black woman, white woman, and mixed ethnicity child of non-descript gender please”

They signify families, they’re not supposed to be an exact replica. I painted mine, so they would look more like DP and I, because we’re not blonde. But it isn’t really the point, they were happily on my shelf for many years with their pale faces and mousey blonde hair.

Thought I'd seen a same sex one https://www.amazon.co.uk/Willow-Tree-26153-Chrysalis-Figurine/dp/B00132B9V8/ref=mpssa1117?dchild=1&keywords=willow+tree&qid=1591891770&sr=8-17

I love them, and I did laugh when I saw them described on here previously as "faceless bastards". I love my faceless bastards

I'm not an ornament person but was given "Tenderness" as a gift years ago and I still have it in my living room today. They're actually quite sweet, although I would never buy one.

Ooh, you can recreate your own little family with the figurines! Although it only works if you're not black or obese or have lots of blond curly hair.

No, they are the ornamental equivalent of Bayliss & Harding toiletries, for when you just couldn't care less about choosing a gift.

That's such a shit comment when people have said they've been given them from family members as gifts and they have a special meaning for them. Not everyone will like them and that's fine, but this one of those 'superior' comments that some posters think make them look just that little bit better than others. It really doesn't.

They're very... straight and white.

@Megatron

No, they are the ornamental equivalent of Bayliss & Harding toiletries, for when you just couldn't care less about choosing a gift.

That's such a shit comment when people have said they've been given them from family members as gifts and they have a special meaning for them. Not everyone will like them and that's fine, but this one of those 'superior' comments that some posters think make them look just that little bit better than others. It really doesn't.

I must apologise then. I didn't read any of the other replies.

Every one is beautiful. They have lost appeal as no longer rare. Being mass produced has made them affordable but also ubiquitous.

I think with this sort of art there is a sweet spot of availability and cost. Once something becomes too common it loses its specialness.

Almost every person who has said that their ornament is really special is because there is a story that makes it unique. That matters.

I used to love them and wish I had one. I'm quite glad I don't know. I love the stories that make other's ornaments special.

@nicky2512 and @Butterer

If they have sentimental value to you and get broken you could try the Japanese art of kintsugi/kitsukoroi. Broken items are mended with gold so the breaks are very visible not concealed. The breaks become part of the items history. It is unique then and the imperfections make it more precious rather than worthless. It’s an excellent metaphor for life.

Not a fan. We had one from a close friend of mine for a wedding present and I was really surprised - they’re not my taste or hers, so she must have panicked and bought one just to give us something!

I was given one years ago as a gift, although I really dont like them at all this one is a lovely thoughtful present from this particular person (but its in a bedroom out the way) but would really not give anymore house room, but hey ho each to their own

My mil loves them she must have dozens of them, but they have replaced the god awful pretend ceramic cats and dogs that are everywhere.....she does not even like pets

I have a nativity and extra animals and shepherds.
It fills up a nice big table, looks very festive and the dog chewed my last nativity.
I've never actually seen any on display in houses I wonder if lots hide them?

(No idea of this makes a difference but some of my nativity are poc)

Quarantimespringclean
I remember reading something about that before. Might have been in a magazine. That’s really interesting. Must consult google!

@nicky2512. Real gold might be hard to get hold of for repairs but it’s a great principle.

I don’t have many ornaments but I bought back a hand carved mother and baby elephant figure from `Thailand that cracked in transit. This thread has inspired me to look into a kintsugi style repair.

Ooh I like the idea of a nativity

Quarantimespringclean it’s a lovely idea. Thanks for putting it in my head!
When I was pregnant with Dd (now 18!) I broke a little ornament of a donkey that I loved. Dh managed to fix it for me and a short time later I broke it again!! I was really upset. It was in too many pieces to fix but I couldn’t part with it. It’s still in a box on top of my wardrobe. That would be an idea to look at for my little donkey!

I was given a girl with her face buried in some red flowers. My first thought was, where is her face?! Now I wish I'd kept it to stick googly eyes on

I have never seen one before this thread! They look like they come from H Samuel...do they?!

In prehistoric times little statues of naked women used to be made and they had blank faces.

It is unknown what they were for. They were made out of stone so as not offend people in 2020 by being a skin colour.

@Ohffs66 not that I’m aware of. They sell them at our (pricey) garden centre

I have one of a couple. Think Dh bought it. Lives on the piano. Wouldn't buy more though.

I've wanted the nativity set for years. It's pricey though. I'll settle for a more traditional one I think.