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Bottle cap figures, which can be men or women, are a form of assemblage or folk art in which odds and ends are added to a figure made from old bottle caps. Common household items such as thumb tacks, curtain rings are often used for embellishments. Most stand about 12 inches high. Characteristically, these figures held a bowl in front of a wood block that serves as the bodice. Metal, plastic and colored aluminum and other materials are often used for the bowl which might hold snacks such as popcorn, nuts and chips. Collector Philip Lamb has coined the term "Nuts and Butts" to describe how many of these figurative constructions are made to both hold an ashtray and bowl for serving nuts. Sometimes the bottle caps are sprayed a color and other times they are left in their original form showing the vintage of the caps used. These handmade art forms have been around for years and incorporate the popular images, personalities and advertising icons of their times. They were especially common during the 1940s and 1950s. Many of the charming figures are reminiscent of the 1951 United Fruit Company's Chiquita Banana advertising icon adorned with a head bowl filled with plastic fruit. Interestingly, the Chiquita Banana symbol herself resembles the character of the very popular 1940s Brazilian movie actress Carmen Miranda. Some collectors have suggested that indeed these figures were souvenirs from tropical islands which may explain the Carmen Miranda connection. Many bottle cap figures appear to show other influences as well. Earlier bottle figures can have a folk art feeling or may be a bit more primitive looking with nose rings, large dangling earrings, painted faces on dark stained wood tones suggestive of an African tribal look. The addition of colored aluminum or pastel colored ornaments on these whimsical figures would give you clues that the piece was made in the 1950s or later when these materials dominated the market. Today, baby boomers as well as younger collectors, are falling in love with these scavenger art figures. Expect to pay $20-28 for these kitschy objet d'art pieces. Or make your own with that pile of bottle caps that's been collecting dust in your garage. If you would like to see one of the largest collections of bottle cap art, check out www.philiplamb.com/bottle.html. Another useful site which covers the history and background of bottle cap folk art is www.interestingideas.com/out/cap.htm. C. Dianne Zweig is a kitschy kitchen collector and the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes (Fall 08). For information go to cdiannezweig.com. Other ways to use bottle caps (vintage or new)  Jewelry Punched out bottle caps with sterling silver accents designed by Beamer Arts Design, Oakridge, Ore., in select stores and at beamerarts.com  Wine Glass Charms  Whistles Constructed from bottle caps and scrap metal, by crafter Loran Scruggs, Port Townsend, Wash., loranscruggs.etsy.com  Wheels for Toys and Decor |
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