1920s mechanical hula girl doll with grass skirt, painted composition face, and wind-up movement.
Side view of 1920s mechanical hula girl doll with grass skirt, painted composition face, and wind-up movement.
Side iew of 1920s mechanical hula girl doll with grass skirt, painted composition face, and wind-up movement.
Back view of 1920s mechanical hula girl doll with grass skirt, painted composition face, and wind-up movement - showing wind-up mechanism.
Vintage Buddy Lee Hula Girl doll wind-up mechanism on back
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1920s mechanical hula girl doll with grass skirt, painted composition face, and wind-up movement.
Side view of 1920s mechanical hula girl doll with grass skirt, painted composition face, and wind-up movement.
Side iew of 1920s mechanical hula girl doll with grass skirt, painted composition face, and wind-up movement.
Back view of 1920s mechanical hula girl doll with grass skirt, painted composition face, and wind-up movement - showing wind-up mechanism.
Vintage Buddy Lee Hula Girl doll wind-up mechanism on back

Mechanical Wind-Up Hula Girl Doll · 1920s–30s · USA

$950.00
$950.00
Save $-950.00 Sold out

A rare 1920s–30s wind-up hula doll with working hips and century-old charm. Still dancing after 100 years, she brings vintage novelty and island flair to any collection.
Description

This mechanical Hula Girl doll from the 1920s–30s is a playful survivor of early American novelty culture. With her original grass skirt, molded shoes, pipe-cleaner lei, and hand-painted composition body, she still performs her signature sway when wound up—thanks to a working internal mechanism.

Originally made as a decorative or souvenir piece—not a toy—she reflects the Hawaiian craze that swept the mainland during the Jazz Age. Her side-glancing eyes, rosy cheeks, and cheeky stance capture a whimsical era when hula girls and ukuleles symbolized exotic escape.

Condition includes visible cracks, thinning hair, and areas of paint loss—all part of her nearly 100-year journey. But her spirit? Still swinging.

15.5" H x 8" W x 5" D
Specifications

Mechanical wind-up doll with functioning movement
Painted composition head and body, cloth and pipe-cleaner accessories
Dimensions: 15.5" H x 8" W x 5" D
Made in USA, 1920s–30s
Condition: Visible cracks, flaking paint, thinning hair; movement functional
Additional Information

Mechanical dolls like this were often sold in department stores, novelty shops, and early tourist destinations—capitalizing on America’s fascination with Hawaiian culture during the 1920s. Her design combines handcrafted details with simple mechanics, offering both decorative appeal and movement.

Rarely found in working condition today, she’s a standout example of pre-war craftsmanship, pop culture, and playful design. A true piece of Americana with hips that don’t quit.

Bring home a century-old dancing queen—full of history, character, and motion.