I was looking through Ruby Lane for antique cloth dolls and found THIS doll. I draw the line at cyber-stalking but I am not afraid to ask a seller
if they'll share pictures. I know this seller, as we used to be in a
group together. She graciously said yes I could share for study
purposes. For our study purposes, here is Virtu Doll's description:
This sweet early antique silk over cotton cloth baby doll has delicately drawn facial features that have softly faded over time. The doll is dressed in a long lace trimmed linen slip, window pane weave cotton baby dress, and beautiful lace baby bonnet. The dress and slip add about 8.5" in length.
The doll is lovingly well constructed of soft stuffed cotton. The lower arms, legs and the head were covered in a thin layer of silk, probably to give a more natural skin color. Fingers and toes are stitched. Eyes, eyebrows and lips were drawn on - though now faded. Ears are well formed. There doesn't appear to have ever been hair.
The shape of the head and the application of the 2nd skin over the head and shoulders makes this doll interesting. She comes from England and shares some similarities with other 19th century American cloth dolls.
It appears the silk on the head and shoulders
was sewn in when the under-body was put together
at the time of making the doll.
The body has a gentle hour-glass shape
similar to Babyland Rags.
The shape of the hands is very similar to
many papier mache dolls as well as Columbian dolls.
Arms from the elbow down have a 2nd skin of silk.
The legs and feet are not unlike this Izannah Walker doll.
They appear to be silk covered like the head from the knees down.
It is hard to tell if the face was drawn before or after
the joining of the two sides of the face front.
She is quite an enigma, and a charming doll to study.
To see the pictures in detail, visit Virtu Dolls listing here.
