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Up for your consideration is this rare vintage Santa Claus wall mask, attributed to Beistle and featuring a gold-painted face, pink hat, lavender jeweled eyes, faux fur trim, pink sequins, sparkling block glitter and a sequins shaped and trimmed beard.
Measuring an impressive 17-1/2 inches tall by approximately 11 inches wide, this large Santa head commands attention wherever it is displayed. The unusual color combination of metallic gold, soft pink, ivory, and lavender sets this piece apart from the more commonly encountered Santa faces of the period. The dramatic facial features, deeply molded cheeks, flowing sparkling beard, and expressive eyes create a striking presentation that captures the charm of post-WW2 Christmas decorating.
Constructed of molded composition pulp material similar to papier-mâché and often compared to heavy egg carton construction, this Santa head exhibits the lightweight yet durable characteristics found in many early American holiday decorations. The face retains its original gold-painted finish, while the beard and mustache are highlighted with hand-applied glitter and sequined accents. The pink cap is lavishly decorated with pink sequins, silver block glitter, faux fur trim, and feather accents. The lavender jeweled eyes add a distinctive touch and give the Santa a captivating appearance. Decorative sequins and glitter continue throughout the beard and eyebrows, reflecting light beautifully and creating the glamorous holiday styling that became popular during the early post-war years.
I believe this piece dates to the late 1940's to early 1950's and is similar in construction and styling to Santa faces attributed to Beistle production. The combination of its substantial size, unusual color palette, jeweled eyes, feather accents, and extensive hand-applied embellishments makes it a standout example of vintage Christmas décor. I have never seen one like this before.
Please review all photographs carefully as they are an important part of the description. This vintage decoration shows age-related wear including paint loss, glitter loss, surface wear, and other signs of age consistent with a well-loved holiday display piece. These condition characteristics contribute to its authenticity and vintage character. Santa is in great shape for his age 80 years approximate.
Since I am in my 7th decade of life, it is time to part with my items. I hope whomever is reading this will want all of them to live with you at your house. Questions? Please ask. I know you have many choices out there and I appreciate you considering mine. Thanks for looking.
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