Dolls are multifaceted and may be objects of art, play or history, often in combination. Here we will discuss any general subject about them, such as their sculpting, making, costuming, and material. Other topics include types and collector categories, their origin and manufacture, as well as subjects of interest to doll collectors such as how to care for and display dolls.
Dolls have probably been around since pre-historic times. Because they are embedded in ever-changing human culture, they have evolved along with it. As advances in technology have led to changes in the materials and techniques used to make them, stones and sticks gave way to clay, cloth, porcelain and most recently to various kinds of synthetic materials. Modern materials like silicone rubber, vinyl resins and polymer clay have increased realism and durability while decreasing price. Noteworthy is the art doll movement, which sees dolls as examples of figurative sculpture. Dolls which are also art pieces have meaning beyond their construction, material and practical purpose.
Whether as art pieces or play things, dolls are always embedded in the timelines of their popular culture. The Waldorf dolls in the early 20th century, Barbie in mid-century, and the ball jointed dolls of the early 21st Century all give evidence of the importance of cultural context in their shaping.
A doll is the end result of the intersection of many disciplines and can be approached from multiple directions. You may see it as objet d’ art, artifact of play, heirloom collectible or historical relic. Our hope is to foster awareness of this multifaceted nature. We also seek to promote appreciation of dolls as the ubiquitous, cross-cultural, familiar fixtures they are and in the way they were intended to be loved. Thus we travel full circle around the doll world.
“Santons”. . . A Christmas tradition It’s November and the winds carry a hint of Christmas already. The varied Christmas traditions around the world also begin to emerge once more with their distinct colors and charisms. We can think of the elaborate Italian nativity scenes, and the German Christmas wood carousel candles. We can conjure the smells of…
One of the most rewarding aspects of our business is the relationships we build with those who meander into our shop, and who do not leave before expressing to us how much beauty and peace they have encountered. Our shelvelined aisles display some of the most exceptional examples of doll art. From baby dolls, to…
Whimsical Way Doll Decor by Emily . . . Into the Garden! Introducing Emily Rehm’s doll decor crafting Spring brings a new blossoming of creative talent to the doll market, and Dear Little Dollies is delighted to be introducing Whimsical Way Doll Decor by the young and beautiful craftswoman, Emily Rehm! While many of Emily’s peers seek…
Olive Oyl: an iconic cartoon character, now as an art doll. Olive Oyl is an iconic cartoon character beloved by many who hail from all over the world. She was created as something of a coy flapper by American cartoonist Elzie Crisler Segar for the daily King Features comic strip Thimble Theater, which was first published…
Catalog your doll collection; how and why Many people contact us to sell dolls, sometimes their own collections and oftentimes collections they inherited. Although we do not usually buy secondary market dolls, we do offer some tips for these folks. I outline here a method for cataloging dolls for sale, which will save time for both those who have dolls…
Art Doll Styles Doll artists often theme their creations from popular fictional characters. It’s very interesting to see how a range of different doll makers treat a single theme as this comparison highlights differences in both their artistic styles and individual sensibilities. A doll’s features may be stylized, realistic or neither, but simply doll-like. It…
If you were asked to choose, what doll would you recommend as the quintessential American doll? An American Doll as Cultural Icon Mattel’s Barbie doll, which came into being in 1959, is perhaps the most widely recognized American doll, but for all of her curvatious chic, does she win the Ms. American Doll crown? American…
Origin and History of Punch and Judy Punch is the most famous puppet character of all time. Beloved for his comic irreverence and even anarchic spirit, Punch has inspired the performing and fine arts, from opera and ballet to punk rock, as well as the art of doll-making. Given the color and animation of his…
Clown doll history and background Summer portends entertainment and family oriented outdoor activity which is a relief after months of winter weather. Children desire the outdoors and lots of laughter — and they have the pent up energy for it. One of the quintessential forms of summer family entertainment is the circus, and of course,…
Elisa Gallea admires the hyper-realistic painting of Austrian artist Gottfried Helnwein and one of them, “The Murmur of the Innocents I” (acrylic and oil on canvas), inspired her doll “Like a Painting.” One can see that the coloring and expression of Elisa’s doll art are suggestive of the painting.