Offered here from the dougfinds collection of curated fashion, accessories, clothing, collectibles, and unique gifts is this exceptionally preserved 1981 Schmid Beatrix Potter “Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit” hand-painted porcelain rotating music box, complete with its remarkably scarce original factory paper hangtag.

Now this is the kind of survivor that makes a vintage collectible considerably more interesting.

Schmid transformed Beatrix Potter's beloved Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit into a wonderful three-dimensional scene: the anxious mother cat, dressed in pink, tends to one of her mischievous kittens beside a tiny wash basin. Books form the kitten's makeshift perch, a towel rests nearby, and the entire vignette sits upon a softly colored pale-yellow musical base.

The details are terrific — Mrs. Twitchit's expressive green eyes, the kitten looking upward toward her, the tiny floral-decorated wash basin, individually modeled paws and clothing folds, and the wonderfully soft palette characteristic of Beatrix Potter's storybook world.

But this example has something most survivors lost decades ago:

Its original Schmid paper hangtag is still attached.

The tag identifies the piece as Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit, tells her Beatrix Potter story, identifies the tune as It's a Small World, and carries the original manufacturing information:

• Schmid
• Hand Painted
• © F. Warne & Co., New York and London 1981
• No. 262033
• Made in Japan
• Tune: It's a Small World
• Original factory paper character hangtag still attached
• Approximately 6¾–7 inches tall; please see photographed measurements

The porcelain itself is in outstanding vintage condition. No chips, cracks, fleabites or repairs were found, and the glossy hand-painted finish remains wonderfully bright and clean.

The mechanical movement has also been tested and is working properly. Wind the mechanism from underneath and the complete porcelain scene rotates while the music box plays It's a Small World.

A video demonstrating operation is included with the listing.

The underside is particularly nice for a collector because the original construction remains plainly visible, including the wooden mounting plate and musical movement housing, while the base itself carries the molded JAPAN marking.

This is more than simply another loose Beatrix Potter figurine. Between the 1981 date, Japanese manufacture, functioning rotating musical movement, superb porcelain condition and surviving original Schmid hangtag, this is an unusually complete example for the Beatrix Potter, Schmid or vintage music-box collector.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they are considered part of the description and provide the best representation of this item's condition.

Thank you for visiting dougfinds! Alyse and I encourage you to browse our dougfinds Store, where you'll find all of our carefully curated collection of fashion, accessories, collectibles, and unique gifts. Please feel free to message us at any time with your comments or questions.

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