"The Gift" is a OOAK (one-of-a-kind) dressed doll set by internationally acclaimed American doll artist, sculptor, graphic designer and painter, Ardis Shanks. This expressive doll set portrays the mystery of romantic love. The elegant maiden in this pair sits approximately 15 inches tall on a tapestry cushion and seems to come from the pages of a fairy tale.. She has a mohair wig which was created by Ardis from the Angora goats owned by the artist's own daughter. The artist hand washes and dyes the mohair herself to create her own wigs. Ardis also does the decorative sewing for her dolls and retains complete control over all the processes. A local jeweler creates the real gem necklaces worn by her dolls, as by this maiden. The man in the set is a pierrot-like character with passion and tragedy in his expression. A sensitive soul, he stands approximately 22 inches and carries a pink rose for his love, and she a crystal globe for him. The mood is soft and ethereal. Two gentle kindred spirits, so totally, mutually and mysteriously given.

The artist sculpts her dolls' heads, upper torsos, lower arms, legs and feet. Layers of painting are applied between firings, and then the porcelain received a light coat of wax

This doll set retails for $3000.00.

Positive reviews of this artist's work in various media and arts suggest that not only will this be an heirloom art piece, but an investment as well. Her dolls can be described as "painterly" and there are stylistic similarities between them and her paintings.