18th century Wooden Pandora Doll Reproduction.....SOLD

 

              "THEY BROUGHT ENTHUSIASM, EXCITEMENT,  ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT ALL ABOUT  THE LATEST FASHION!"  

The Pandora dolls were quite lovely, they played such an important role not only because they kept everyone with the latest trends in fashion, but also these dolls helped customers to make less or no mistakes when chosen their garments. The opportunity to having this doll live, in person was an extraordinary event for the customers, they could see all the details of the gowns, skirts, accessories, they could see the real color of the fabrics and choose their favorite textiles for their garments.

 I just imagine the excitement of the ladies with their daughters, granddaughters, aunts, nieces, etc.  contemplating and enjoying these little dolls, dreaming that they can make dreams come true  and wear  that fashionable gown! 

I am a true believer that these little dolls were wonderful helpers, they didn't talk just about fashion, they carried with them enthusiasm, hope, and the most important thing is that they were capable to make families come together. Mom, daughters, grandma, aunts, nieces, all together, exchanging ideas, family stories, even little secrets, family bonding that is so important, things that in many cases are now missing from the family's day to day life.

I want to be a helper too!. I have made this lovely Pandora doll for you to enjoy and my hope is that this humble reproduction brings the same enthusiasm that she has brought to me. 

She is 17.5" tall. Her clothing and accessories are made with early materials and textiles, some of them dating back to the beginning of the 19th century. Enjoy the photos!

SOLD

Hand carved from basswood and painted in beautiful detail. 

I just love this photo of  her entire wardrobe!

Her first underclothing are the knee length shift 

and dickey petticoat.

I have chosen this beautiful antique French silk ribbon for her garters, the orange ombre colors of this diminutive silk ribbon inspire me so much in this Fall Season. What a sweet combination of colors that match lovely with her wool stockings! :)

Stays: 19th century silk brocade in a lovely light blue color

Ohhh secret pockets!

Unlike men's clothing, in the 18th century women didn't have pockets sewn into their garments, so they got inventive and made hanging pockets and wrapped them with a string around their waists  and hid them under layers of skirts. Some had a pieced patchwork design and others had an elaborate embroidery.

Double cloth pockets: Early 19th century French ribbonwork, the intricate embroidery is made with metallic threads as well.

Bum-roll: It helps to emphasize her tiny waist.

Quilted petticoat: This lovely young lady welcomes another layer of skirt knowing that the winter months are approaching. It has pocket-slits as well, so she can reach to her secret cloth pockets!

Remarkable early example of  hand block printed textile, probably woven and printed in India during the first years of the 19th century.

Fichu: French lace from the Victorian Era.

Stomacher: 19th century Ottoman embroidery with gold

 metallic threads.

Inspired on a gown from the Georgian Era, I can praise the elegance and modest charm of this one. 

I have seen many striped silk British gowns from the 1800's and when I found this textile, I envisioned to make one like this for my doll, just in miniature.

Striped silk textile: green, light and dark brown stripes, dating about 1880's

Chatelaines were popular during the 1800's

I made her chatelaine with the essential tools for her sewing chores: it has a pinball, a housewife roll sewing case and a pair of miniature scissors. The pincushion (better known as pinball) is made with the same green silk of the gown.

The housewife is made from early embroidery and cottons textiles, it holds inside a tiny thread waxer, super cute!

Her high heel shoes in the 18th century 

style finishes the look! 

 Painstakingly made by hand, I enjoyed their design very much and I love the idea that they match the stomacher. This amazing Ottoman embroidery depicts tiny pineapples, pomegranates and delicate floral sprays.

Head dress: She is wearing a day cap (same lace as the apron) and a lovely antique Bergére hat. 

Day caps (also called pinner caps) were worn for women of all classes, they were worn most of the time for informal occasions. 

The Bergére hat mas usually made of straw, it has a very low

 crown and wide brim. Some fashion historians believe this so-stylish hat was named after Madame Bergeret, who is holding a shepherdess-style hat in a portrait painted by Francois Bouçher (this beautiful oil on canvas is part of the collection in the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.)

Enjoy!