Friday, May 09, 2008

Lee Ed's bisque shoulder head dolls


I noticed this interesting bisque doll by Lee Ed up on Ebay. Further research indicates Lee Ed produced a number of shoulder head bisque dolls in the mid 1950s. This particular doll, created in 1955, is Napoleon's first girlfriend and one-time fiancee, Bernardine Eugénie Désirée Clary. The doll is beautifully sculpted and detailed and measures 17" high. Since I spend most of my time studying the ancient world rather than Napoleon's era, I had never heard of her. Although she was engaged to Napoleon Bonaparte, she eventually married Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, and crowned Queen Desideria of Sweden.

Désirée Clary was born in Marseille, France, the daughter of François Clary, a wealthy silk manufacturer and merchant, and his second wife Françoise Rose Somis.

"Her husband was appointed governor of Hanover in 1804-1805, Prince of Pontecorvo 1806 and was one the leading generals in the French Napoleonic army; he was made heir to the Swedish throne in 1810 and, after success in war, to the Norwegian throne in 1814.

They had only one child, Oscar, who eventually became King Oscar I of Sweden and Norway (17991859).

Desirée visited Sweden for the first time in 1810 but could not accustom herself to the demands of formal court etiquette. She was said to have been treated with a certain snobbery by the court and especially the queen, Hedwig Elizabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp, though the old dowager queen Sophia Magdalena of Denmark was kind to her. The climate was also a shock. It must be added, however, that according to descriptions, she seems to have behaved in a very "spoiled" manner and made no attempt to be liked, as she had never wished to be a queen and did not want to move so far away from her family. She left Sweden in 1811 under the name of "Countess of Gotland", officially because of her health, and returned to Paris. There she stayed for twelve years, leaving not only her husband but also her son behind. She herself said that the Swedish nobility had treated her as if they were made of ice: "Do not talk with me of Sweden, I get a cold as soon as I hear the word."[citation needed] In 1818, her husband became king, but she remained in Paris. In Sweden, her husband took a mistress, the noblewoman Mariana Koskull.

In 1823, Desiree returned to Sweden together with her son's bride, Josephine of Leuchtenberg, and in 1829, she was crowned queen at her own request. The 1830s were a period when she did her best to be active as a queen, a role she had never wanted to play. The decade is described as a time of balls and parties, more than had been seen at the Swedish court since the days of King Gustav III of Sweden, but Desiree soon grew tired of her royal status and wanted to return to France; her husband wouldn't allow it. She never became very popular and never learned to speak Swedish. After she was widowed, she grew more and more eccentric; she went to bed in the morning, she got up in the evening, she ate breakfast at night, and she drove around in a carriage through the streets, in the courtyard, or wandered around the corridors of the sleeping castle with a light. On the last day of her life, she entered her box at the opera just as the performance had ended." - Wikipedia


The novel Désirée by Annemarie Selinko is based on actual events in her life and was made into a movie, Désirée (1954), an American film with Jean Simmons and Marlon Brando.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Artist/Historian George S. Stuart creates Marius' Mule for New York collector!

Roman LegionaryIn addition to creating figures for museum exhibition, artist historian George S. Stuart also produces commissioned figures for serious collectors. One of his collectors requested this figure of a Roman legionary serving in the legions under the command of Gaius Marius. Marius is recognized for totally restructuring the Roman Army and introducing new training regimens. He changed the army from a voluntary militia to a professional force, allowing men from all classes of Roman society to join and make a career of military service.

See a full length view of this amazingly detailed figure at the Gallery of Historical Figures!

Friday, January 18, 2008

Showcase your collection on MyThings!!

Several months ago I read an article about MyThings, a website where you can inventory all of the things you own and record information about them for reference and insurance purposes. They even have a utility so you can upload pictures of each item. You can indicate if you wish to make the information public or private.

I have begun uploading descriptions and pictures of my doll collection. I have documented over 200 of my dolls so far (with pictures) and have made the records public so other collectors and enthusiasts can see them.

You can view my online records at:

http://www.mythings.com/portfolio.aspx?userid=44890

I will be adding to this inventory as I have time to photograph more of my dolls. I also hope to add my figurines, my miniatures collections, my Cameo Creations portraits, and my Bossons heads to this wonderful new resource too!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Holidays Brings New Additions To My Historical Doll and Figure Collection


Whoa, I can hardly believe six months has gone by and I haven't posted any news. My own collecting has continued but at a much slower pace than it once did. I still bid once in a while but quite honestly I'm out of display space and hate to collect something that just will be packed away.

Although I must admit to splurging over the holidays. The Doll Market didn't let me down - great buys on Robert Tonner dolls from his Gone With The Wind Collection - Melanie complete in her blue gown and a Scarlett basic along with the trip to Saratoga outfit (they were just too beautiful to pass up). I plan to display them with my General William Tecumseh Sherman figure from Sideshow Collectibles Brothers in Arms Collection. Is that a little too ironic? I'll get a display case for them but I promise I won't put a flaming Atlanta in the background.

I need to get an Ashley Wilkes but need to decide which company's version I would like. I actually like the facial features of the Ashley Wilkes that was released by World Dolls. I have a Mammie doll from that company. They are well made and actually sell for less than other companys' GWTW offerings. I wish his uniform was more gray than blue though.

I have a Timeless Treasures Scarlett in her barbecue gown and Rhett Butler displayed in one of my other rooms. They were a special release by Mattel and looked like Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable rather than the typical Ken and Barbie. I also left them in their original display boxes because they had nice background images. The only problem with displaying dolls in their boxes is that they take up more space that way.

I also bought a limited edition collectible Barbie dressed like a pirate. It is somewhat historical since there were women pirates like Anne Bonny and Mary Read. However, I must be honest and admit that the pirate outfit looks more like it came from the closet of Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean). In fact, as a display mate I also bought a Jack Sparrow figure from Sideshow Collectibles. I can round out my display (they say you should always create art in odd numbers) with my figure of Blackbeard that I bought from Sideshow Collectibles a number of years ago.

Michigan Toy Soldier also had a great half-price sale so I bought Ignite's Napoleon Bonaparte to go with my Barbie porcelain collectible Josephine. This was a special figure produced jointly between Andrea Miniatures and Ignite Figures.

"This figure is an accurate depiction in 1:6 scale of Napoleon Bonaparte as he was in 1805, the year of the battle of Austerlitz and at the pinnacle of his military glory. He is attired in his favorite uniform of Colonel of Chasseurs Cheval de la Garde Imperiale that was his standard dress while in the field.

The model itself is the result of exhaustive historical research, including the examination of Napoleon's actual uniforms and accoutrements. The body has been precisely designed in accordance with the most reliable reports of the period, closely following Napoleon features and measures to present a unique, fully articulated figure equipped with a full assortment of garments and personal belongings including his sword, telescope, watch and even a favorite snuffbox; thus enabling the collector to present the Emperor in many different poses and attitudes."

There is a wonderful, extensive review of this figure of Napoleon at Captain Toy.

Years ago I had the thrill of attending an exhibit of Napoleon artifacts held at the International Culture Center in Memphis, Tennessee. I even stood inside one of his actual command tents. I couldn't believe how well the items were preserved. Of course I marveled over actual dresses that Josephine wore as well. In fact, it was attending that exhibit that started me on my passion for seeking out special traveling museum exhibits and doing whatever I could to promote the study of history.

This really doesn't sound like I'm cutting back on collecting does it???

Monday, July 30, 2007

South Africa home to Miniatures' Artist Debbie Dixon-Paver


This morning I was pruning my e-mail inbox and came across a message I had almost forgotten that arrived while I was in New York. Debbie Dixon-Paver is a miniature doll artist living in South Africa. She had come across the website featuring the historical figures of George Stuart and had emailed the contact address asking when more of his figures were scheduled to be added to the website. As the programmer for Mr. Stuart's website, I am copied on emails sent to it so I replied to her that we are presently working on the addition of figures of the Bourbon Dynasty to the website and should have them online by September.

Debbie emailed me back when she realized I was the doll enthusiast with the extensive historical collection she had seen online and included images of some of her wonderful miniature groups. They are part of a collection she calls "Songbook" because she used song titles as inspiration for them. I found them meticulously detailed with realistic faces. Even the puppetmaker's tiny creations had finely detailed features and costumes. I was able to instantly recognize Henry VIII! The gentle face of her peddler woman as she gazes at her sweet little apprentice is quite poignant. The two little girls in their early 20th century beach suits are also quite winsome as they look up at the "medicine" man hawking his latest potion.

Debbie also depicts a brigand of the high seas to satisfy the customers who may be suffering from the latest craze of pirate worship stirred up by the series of films, "Pirates of the Carribean".

She also offers a salute to the "Free Love" generation of the 60s with her offering "Flower Children". I had to smile when I saw them since they still sport the trademark tie-dyed clothing but have gray hair and aging faces like so many of us from that period of time. Of course, seeing their colorfully decorated microbus and living here in Eugene, the home of one of the hippies' old icons, Ken Kesey, I couldn't help but think of his old flower-painted bus "Furthur" that trekked all the way to New York all those years ago.

"THE PUBLICATION OF Kesey's second novel Sometimes a Great Notion demanded his presence in New York, so Kesey bought a 1939 International Harvester school bus that he and the Merry Pranksters painted in day-glo colors, and outfitted it for a cross-country trip. With Neal Cassady at the wheel, they left La Honda in June 1964 and began their now legendary journey across the country, smoking marijuana, and dropping acid along the way. The top of the bus was made into a musical stage and when it detoured through some cities, the Pranksters blasted a combination of crude homemade music and running commentary to all the astonished onlookers. They arrived in New York in July after an arduous journey, whereupon Neal Cassady introduced them to Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac. Ginsberg embraced the new legends immediately and arranged for them to drive to Millbrook to meet the other psychedelic pioneer, Timothy Leary." - Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, © 1998 by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia.

I understand "Furthur" is being resurrected by Kesey's son, Zane. The local annual salute to the 60s, The Oregon Country Fair, was just held last week.

When I emailed Debbie to let her know I was featuring her work in this article she thanked me and included a link to her website. I was thrilled to see that she had produced a set called "Just The Two of Us" featuring Marc Antony and Cleopatra! As a Roman history buff I couldn't help but love them!

Friday, July 27, 2007

Realistic felt dolls created by Maggie Iacono


Today as I was researching some dolls I purchased on Ebay I came across a website with pictures of beautiful felt dolls created by doll artist Maggie Iacono. Her dolls of children were so lifelike I could hardly believe they were made of felt. Then I noticed that she has started a "fashion doll" series with women dressed in early 20th century fashions.

The first of these was 15" Olivia featured in a turn of the century felt dress with an embroidered bodice and a straight skirt. It is accented with a textured silk overskirt, lined with a matching fine woven silk. Her coat is decorated with hand made felt pastel flowers on a painted and embroidered background. Two silk covered buttons hold her coat closed. Black suede pumps complete the ensemble. Her hair is turned up in the traditional bun style of the day. She is fully jointed and poseable, with wired fingers, elbows, shoulders, hips and knees. Only 100 pieces were produced and retailed for $895.

Evelyn is this year's addition to the new line. Evelyn is 17 1/2 inches tall. Her blonde hair is cut in a bob style and she wears a 1920s-style felt dress, matching hat with a felt flower on the side and a silk scarf. She is wearing black suede pumps and carries a black handbag. Evelyn is available from fine doll retailers for a suggested retail price of $925. Only 100 pieces were made.

Maggie explains her journey to becoming an award winning doll artist on her website:

"I became interested in doll making soon after the birth of my first child. I began by making simple cloth rag dolls. I took these to craft shows and then later to doll shows. This was great for earning some extra money while still being able to be home and care for my children. As my skills progressed, the "flat" faces of my cloth dolls frustrated me, and I knew I needed to achieve something more realistic. I discovered a felt doll at a show one day and thought this might be the medium for me. Discovering a method for pressing the faces was a huge challenge. After much experimenting, I discovered a technique that gave me the results I was looking for. Adding dimension to their faces breathed new life into my dolls.

My work progressed and became more and more refined. Eventually, demand for my work grew to such an extent, that my husband quit his job and came to help me full time. Together we came up with a jointing system for the dolls that gives them a full range of motion. This was something I had always wanted for my dolls, the ability to pose them in many positions. At present our studio is at home. We produce an average of five editions of seventy dolls each year, with the help of several outside assistants. I also produce a few one of a kind dolls during the year that I will sell directly to collectors, and maybe one very small edition.

The costuming for my dolls is very important and is the one area that I spend a great deal of time on. I enjoy playing with all the different textiles that I use and inventing ways to transform them and embellish the fabrics in different ways. Many collectors have referred to my doll costuming as "art on art".

Friday, July 13, 2007

Actress Jane Seymour Produces Elizabethan doll of English Namesake


Several years ago I read an article about actress Jane Seymour's passion for dolls and the line of dolls designed by Robert Tonner she now offers for sale on her website and through quality retailers. These wonderfully delicate porcelain dolls, released in a limited edition of 500 pieces, resemble Jane in historical fashions she has worn in her various film roles.

The collection is based on four themes from Jane Seymour's home, St. Catherine's Court in England, and her most notable characters. Based on this primary theme, the four selections are inspired by Elizabethan, Victorian, Edwardian and 1950's roles brought to life by Jane Seymour. The four 14" porcelain dolls feature lavish fabrics, including stunning silks, velvet, and lace; and hand details are evident in the face painting and costume beading. Even Jane Seymour's signature eye-coloring is captured (one is hazel, the other is green!).- Jane Seymour Official Website.

I thought the dolls were beautiful but, at a retail price of $250 considered them out of my price range at the time. However, several years later I was excited to see that The Doll Market had them on sale for a fraction of their original price. I was able to order Jane in Elizabethan costume and Jane in a fashion gown of the 1950s. I would have loved to have had her in her Victorian gown and Edwardian gown as well but those were not available. However, I feel fortunate to have been able to add at least two of these beautiful dolls to my collection.