18th Century Dolls

During this time, dolls as fashion dolls and toys began to grown in number. There were some walking dolls, and many of the famous automatons were being made. In France, Pantin or jumping jacks were all the rage, and were supposedly so wildly popular that they were banned, less expectant mothers playing with them have abnormally shaped children!

So-called court dolls are attributed to this era; carved of wood, they represent 18th C. courtiers from the court of Louis XVI, but some stories claim they are really made in the early 2oth c. They are anatomically correct, generally. For more information and photos, review Jean Lotz's wooden doll pages, key words.

Puppets are also very popular at this time, especially marionettes. Doll houses are being made, both for children and adults. Dolls are often called "poppets." Queen Anne, and actually, later Georgian dolls of wood are popular.

Wax dolls are being made, espcially as religious and devotional figures, and some of these move. There is an exquisite example in Mary Hillier's dolls and Dollmakers of a wax mechanical. A little girl lies with eyes open on a flower covered bier. She has blonde hair, and a white silk dress. She is wax with inset eyes, and her lovely face and hands lift upwards. When she is wound, she moves. I also have a still example in the museum, formerly in the Mary Merrit museum.

Toy soldiers are very popular, and soon, Maezel, inventer of the metronome, will devise the first Mamma dolls. There have been shops for toys in London since at least the 17th Century, too. Baby dolls first make their appearance, and more and more dolls appear in art. George Washington left recoreds of dolls and toys bought for his step-children, including dolls.

Earlier, in the 17th Century colonies, William Penn is said to have brought the doll Letitia Penn, a doll celebrity, as a gift for his daughter's friend. The story has since been questioned. 17th c. cornhusk dolls or poppets played sinister roles in the 1692 Salem Witch trials, where dolls were more or less forbidden and seen as instruments of the devil.

Some More 17th-18th Century Dolls

Here is an excerpt from a blog from Morgaine Le Fay Interesting Textiles describing the work of artists who restore 17th and 18th century Old Pretender dolls, including one they are working on by a William Higgs, made in Whitechapel about 1630. [Interesting Triva; Whitechapel is the scene of the 1888 Jack the Ripper murders!]:

With reference to my recent post in my other blog, Morgaine Le Fay Antique Textiles, here are some more glorious photos of the work of David Chapman & Paul Robinson of 'The Old Pretender' wooden doll workshop.

As well as making the most beautiful reproduction dolls dressed in authentic fabrics and trims from the period, these young men also restore authentic 17th & 18th century dolls. They are currently working on one of the rarest English dolls in the world, one of only 22 known examples made in Whitechapel at around 1680 by William Higgs.

The first photos detail some examples of their restoration work, then a magazine article about their reproduction dolls, followed by some examples of their reproduction dolls. I will let the photos speak for themselves rather than wittering on too much, please click on each picture to really appeciate the detail here. http://interestingantiquetextiles.blogspot.com/2009/07/old-pretender-dolls-17th-18th-century.html

Plangon

This is an ancient Greek word for doll, first mentioned in a play by Menander. Thanks to an Australian doll collecting couple who sent me the source for the word. Another ancient Greek word associated with dolls is Eidolon, for idol. More to follow, soon. Here are some images to enjoy.

More Renaissance and 17th Century Dolls

Here are a photo of Bartholmew Fair, a Baby, and a page from a cookbook about the Fair. Also, some contemporary images, and the Bart. Family, which I am researching for connections with fair origins.

Bartholomew Babies and the 17th Century

Here are a few photos, with content to follow. These are dolls from 1491 and other Renaissance eras, and the 17th century. The Bartholmew Fair was a huge event for decades in Europe, and elaborate dolls, ancestors of our carnival dolls, were famous. Some of these survive today. This is the era of The Old Pretender, Letitia Penn, and Lord and Lady Clapham, early dolls that survive and which were cherished as "collectors items" and as toys. It is the era of the Dutch and German baby houses or doll houses, and of toy villages like Mon Plaisir, which I will write aobut. These were the treaures of adult collectors, though at least one, Ann Sharp's Baby House, belonged to a child who catalogued her items of delight. For more, read Flora Gill Jacobs' books on doll houses. They are in my bibliography, A Bibliography of Toys and Dolls, available from me or on Amazon.

Enjoy!

Dolls and Doll Makers

I want to thank the author of my first comment; it was very encouraging. A great source for graphics and information about Medieval dolls is my friend's book Dolls and Doll Makers, Crown, 1969. Mary Hillier also wrote excellent books on Automata and Wax Dolls, and she often wrote for doll magazines. She was a wonderful friend and penpal to me, and she proofed my books and my dissertation for me. She was great at helping with research, and I remember her once more on the eve of her death, Valentine's Day 1999. The last thing she sent me was a magazine with her article on antique valentines, which she loved. She was in good spirits, and had just finished a book no Chloe Preston. Mary wrote to me twice a month, and I two her, for almost 14 years. Her last gift to me was a British travel guide; I was going to visit her.

As a scholar, she was in a league of her own. I often did little projects for her, and sent the information. She could uncover anything, and wrote very, very well. She was also an editor for Pollack's Toy Dictionary, and worked for them in various capacities. Dolls and Dollmakers has also been translated into German. I got my first copy when I was none. I met Mary when I was 25.

Dr. E's Doll Museum Blog: Gingerbread of the Middle Ages

Dr. E's Doll Museum Blog: Gingerbread of the Middle Ages: A Link with medieval recipes>. http://www.godecookery.com/nboke/neweboke.htm Early dolls were often edible, and gingerbread dolls and hous...