Handicrafts Appraisal

Button and Bead Figure

This is a handcrafted item resembling a stylized human figure, likely intended as a toy or decoration. It is constructed from a variety of repurposed materials, primarily plastic and possibly some wood or natural beads. The figure is strung together on a white string, holding the components in place. The 'head' appears to be a white plastic bead, capped by a large, translucent orange plastic disc resembling a hat. Below the head is a dark purple triangular piece, serving as the 'shoulders'. The 'arms' are fashioned from stacked, small, clear or translucent plastic buttons, with a small red plastic bead at the end of each arm acting as a 'hand'. The 'torso' is a smaller, dark purple, possibly faceted bead, followed by another white plastic bead. The 'waist' is a round, flat, pink plastic disc with pink polka dots and a light pink 'U' or horseshoe shape printed on its surface. The 'legs' are made from similar stacked clear or translucent plastic buttons as the arms, ending in a white plastic bead 'foot' on each leg. There are visible signs of wear and use on the plastic components, including some scratching and minor scuffing. The buttons used for the arms and legs show variations in size and style, suggesting they were sourced from different places. The craftsmanship is basic, indicative of a homemade or elementary-level craft project. There are no discernible manufacturer's marks, signatures, or stamps. Based on the materials and construction style, it appears to be a contemporary item, likely made within the last few decades.