"Sallie" Wooden Pandora Doll....AVAILABLE

 

Sallie is a fine hand-carved wooden doll, seventeen inches tall. Her entire body is made of wood, except for her cloth upper arms. She has antique glass eyes, and her wig is made of antique mohair in a lovely dark brown color. Her entire body has a wonderful patina that replicates the effect of age on the painted wood. The quality of the doll is remarkable, as is her highly elaborate attire. The textiles I have used to create her underclothing, dress, and accessories are antique. Her clothing is removable. Please scroll down to see step-by-step photos on how I have dressed her and all the details of this doll. 

If you are interested in purchasing her, please send your inquiry to: soniakrausedolls@gmail.com

AVAILABLE

The underclothing (shift, dickey petticoat, stockings and embroidered petticoat) is made of antique cotton fabrics dating from the Victorian Era. Graduated ombre silk ribbons are tied around her legs, just below the knees, to hold up her stockings. This beautiful diminutive ribbon was sold by Au Bon Marche Department Store in Paris, France around 1890.

Her antique wig is secured with two diminutive nails, one on each side of the wig cap to keep it in place; the use of these nails is adding an interesting detail to the construction of the doll itself, a historical practice during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The head-dress and apron are made of a dotted Brussels tulle lace appliqué; it dates from the early 1900's.

False rumps: they were usually filled with cork, feathers, cotton wool, horsehair; most of them had attached a cotton or linen panel to protect the body from the roughness of these materials.

Her cloth pockets, hussif and shoes are a matching set. This striped silk brocade was manufactured in Lyon, France between 1760 – 1770. 

 This 18^th century damask silk textile was probably made in Lyon or Venice; it is simply gorgeous. Two of the aesthetic characteristics to mention about this textile are: The texture is super light, it was made for luxury garments, dresses, it was reserved for the upper classes and formal clothing. And it was woven in monochrome or subtly contrasting tones (this one is color green and cream).

Apron: it is made of a dotted Brussels tulle lace appliqué; it dates from the early 1900's.

Short lace aprons were worn for gentry women and symbolized high status, wealth and refinement.

Her stays are back lacing, they are made of a mid-18th century Ottoman textile, embroidered with metallic threads, absolutely stunning!

Sallie is wearing an English gown inspired by a superb example dating to around 1770. The dress consists of a fitted bodice with an overskirt parted in front to reveal the skirt that is made of the same fabric. Her dress is adorned with metallic lace trim dating from the 1930’s in a lovely gold color and 18^th century silk flys, that only can be seen in museum collections nowadays.

Hussif (sewing kit): The outer portion of the hussif is made of the same brocade silk as the cloth pockets. The inner portion is lined with fragments of 18^th-19th century textiles. To help with the lacing of her stays, I have included a tiny bovine bone needle. 

And last but not least are her shoes in the 18th century style, they have antique leather soles, and they are adorned with a pair of Victorian cut steel shoe buckles. The colors of this 18th century striped silk brocade are stunning and stand out along with her beautiful dress. 

18" Wooden Pandora Doll....SOLD

Wooden Pandora Doll

Isabella is one of my latest creations; she is 18 inches tall. She has a jointed wooden body and cloth upper arms. She has antique glass eyes, and her wig is made of antique mohair in a lovely reddish-brown color. Her entire body has a wonderful patina that replicates the effect of age on the painted wood. 

I am very attentive to details in the construction of my dolls as well as in the selection of materials and textiles for their clothes and accessories. Each of my dolls is unique and museum quality. Isabella is a lovely creation that has all of these elements. 

Please scroll down to see step-by-step photos on how I have dressed her and all the details of this doll. 

If you are interested in purchasing her, please send your inquiry to: soniakrausedolls@gmail.com

SOLD

The shift; quilted-dickey petticoat and embroidered petticoat are made of early materials dating from the Victorian and Edwardian Era.

Center: Cotton Shift 

 Left: Head-dress and Stockings

Right: Fichu and cloth pockets

French silk ribbons are tied around her legs, just below the knees, to hold up her cotton stockings. This beautiful diminutive silk ribbon was made for AU BON MARCHE Department Store in Paris, France around 1890.

Her undergarment includes a pair of side-hoops made in the eighteenth-century style. They were made entirely collapsible and created the silhouette popular in the second half of the 18th century, providing a modest width, notably narrower than wide panniers worn for court dresses; and a flat-at-the-front-and-back silhouette. 

 Several years ago, I was lucky to acquire this wonderful early linen, the best natural blue dye color I ever had in my collection of early textiles; it still retains the original glaze, dates from about c.1740.

Dress skirt: It is made of a beautiful, printed cotton fabric from the early 1900's. The skirt has pocket-slits so she can reach to her secret cloth pockets.

Back lacing stays: Stunning 18th century Spitalfields silk brocade with polychrome floral sprays. To help with the lacing of her stays, I have included a tiny bovine- bone needle.

It never stops amazing me the dressmaker's art of that era. The Robe à la française is one of those artifacts that I love to reproduce, but just in smaller scale!

I made her necklace with tiny glass beads that date from the Victorian era.

Her head-dress and fichu are made of a beautiful tambour lace; it is a fine net embroidered with floral garlands and sprigs. It dates from early 1900's, French in origin.

I made a handscreen for Isabella and she loves it! The pale gold-colour of the embroidered Ottoman blends beautifully with the metallic silver trim, both material date from mid 18th century.

And last but not least are her high-heeled shoes in the 18th century style, these are made with the same brocade silk of the stays; they have antique leather soles. The lining is cream polished cotton, dating from the mid 19th century. The colors of this 18th century Spitalfields silk brocade with polychrome floral sprays are stunning and stand out along with her beautiful outfit. I made them inspired by an outstanding example dating from c. 1770-1775.