Rose Arbor Crafts-Evening

Dolls made of flat pieces of wood, painted with geometric designs and with " hair " made of strings of clay or wooden beads, have been found in Egyptian caves dating from 3000 to 2000 BC. The presence of such dolls in children's tombs suggests that they were cherished possessions as well as cult objects, like the shawabtis, or tomb figures buried with adults to serve them in the afterworld. Dolls were also buried in Greek and Roman children's graves.

Most ancient dolls were made of common clay, rags, wood, or bone; better examples were made of ivory or wax, or of terra-cotta. Some dolls as early as 600 BC had moveable limbs and removable clothes.

Beginning in the Middle Ages, the creche , with its doll figures of the Holy Family, has been a part of Christmas observations in many parts of the world. The religious use of dolls continues in other modern Christian observances. For example, in Mexico dolls representing Our Lady of Guadalupe are ceremonially paraded. Fertility rites involving the Kachina dolls of the Hopi Indians are another continuation of ancient practice.In Japan, childrens festivals, which have been performed annually for almost a thousand years, involve dolls representing historical figures.

The first dolls known to have been commercially produced were made in Germany in the early 15 th century. Production methods were crude, the dolls were made to represent German women of the time, and were made of wood, clay, rags, and wax. Beginning in the 15 th century, manufacturers in England, France, Holland, and Italy also began to produce dolls dressed in the fashions typical of their respective countries. The ornately costumed "Lady" or "Fashion" dolls were often used by rulers and courtiers as gifts.

By the 17th century, simpler dolls made of cloth or leather were used as toys by children. By the 1600s there were several improvements in manufacturing. Doll's heads were made of glazed stoneware; and later tragacanth ( a gum derived from an Asian plant ) was used, and alabaster. In 1636 a doll with glass eyes that moved was produced in Holland, and in 1675 another firm produced dolls wearing wigs made from human hair.

Until the 18th century Germany remained the leading producer of dolls and toys. Early in that century it was discovered that leather could be made to feel like skin, and was used in dollmaking . Up until 1710, almost all dolls had been designed as adults, then the first wax "baby" doll with movable eyes and a crying voice was introduced. In 1737 walking dolls were made in Paris. Even though dolls had begun to look, feel, and move like like real people, the high-fashion "Lady" dolls were the most popular. Manufactured in Paris, these dolls were sent from one country to another to show the latest fashions.

By the 19th century dollmaking was progressing at a fast pace. Papier mache was adapted in Germany for making doll's heads, ball joints were used, which gave dolls more natural arms and legs. New materials included gutta-percha( a rubber-like gum), glazed porcelain, unglazed parian( a soft china), India rubber, and bisque. Imperfections were covered with gesso ( plaster of paris and glue) before the dolls were painted.

In England, wax was perfected for the construction of doll's heads, the English also made some of the earliest "baby" dolls, and another 19th century development was the cutout paper doll. At the same time, simple rag and cornhusk dolls remained popular, distinctively American products. Vulcanized rubber dolls were introduced, and the first "baby" doll that could sit upright was shown in Europe. Metal heads were made, and then celluloid heads. Composition mixtures of various pastes were concocted that could be molded into smooth, almost unbreakable doll parts.In 1865 the first American doll-manufacturing firm was founded. By the time the century ended , the popularity of the "Lady" dolls had faded and "baby" dolls were the most popular.

The early 1900's brought European dolls with bent legs; the "Kewpie " doll was introduced, and "Raggedy Ann" was created .Between 1925 and WWII innovations included sleeping eyes with lashes, dimples, fingernails, and dolls that drank water and wet.

After WWII, vinyl plastics provided dollmakers with the kind of basic material they had been looking for. Late 20 th century dolls look and feel alive , and many have action features. Some of today's dolls walk and have facial expressions thst change. Hair can be repeatedly washed and styled because the hair is firmly imbedded in the scalp. Among the most popular modern dolls are the "Barbie" dolls, which have a variety of clothing and accessories; and " Cabbage Patch Kids", dolls with stylized features, which gained popularity in the U.S. and abroad from 1983 on.

For over a century, doll collecting has been a very popular hobby, and collections have been exhibited in museums throughout the world.

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/"Professional Crafters"/"Rose Arbor Crafts" This article may not be reprinted, all or in part, without the author's express permission.


				Evening in the Rose Arbor

		Doll Making Ancient Dolls- Dolls made of flat pieces of wood, painted with geometric designs and with " hair " made of strings of clay or wooden beads, have been found in Egyptian caves dating from 3000 to 2000 BC. The presence of such dolls in children's tombs suggests that they were cherished possessions as well as cult objects, like the shawabtis, or tomb figures buried with adults to serve them in the afterworld. Dolls were also buried in Greek and Roman children's graves. Most ancient dolls were made of common clay, rags, wood, or bone; better examples were made of ivory or wax, or of terra-cotta. Some dolls as early as 600 BC had moveable limbs and removable clothes. Ritual Use of Dolls- Beginning in the Middle Ages, the creche , with its doll figures of the Holy Family, has been a part of Christmas observations in many parts of the world. The religious use of dolls continues in other modern Christian observances. For example, in Mexico dolls representing Our Lady of Guadalupe are ceremonially paraded. Fertility rites involving the Kachina dolls of the Hopi Indians are another continuation of ancient practice.In Japan, childrens festivals, which have been performed annually for almost a thousand years, involve dolls representing historical figures. Early European Dolls- The first dolls known to have been commercially produced were made in Germany in the early 15 th century. Production methods were crude, the dolls were made to represent German women of the time, and were made of wood, clay, rags, and wax. Beginning in the 15 th century, manufacturers in England, France, Holland, and Italy also began to produce dolls dressed in the fashions typical of their respective countries. The ornately costumed "Lady" or "Fashion" dolls were often used by rulers and courtiers as gifts. By the 17th century, simpler dolls made of cloth or leather were used as toys by children. By the 1600s there were several improvements in manufacturing. Doll's heads were made of glazed stoneware; and later tragacanth ( a gum derived from an Asian plant ) was used, and alabaster. In 1636 a doll with glass eyes that moved was produced in Holland, and in 1675 another firm produced dolls wearing wigs made from human hair. Until the 18th century Germany remained the leading producer of dolls and toys. Early in that century it was discovered that leather could be made to feel like skin, and was used in dollmaking . Up until 1710, almost all dolls had been designed as adults, then the first wax "baby" doll with movable eyes and a crying voice was introduced. In 1737 walking dolls were made in Paris. Even though dolls had begun to look, feel, and move like like real people, the high-fashion "Lady" dolls were the most popular. Manufactured in Paris, these dolls were sent from one country to another to show the latest fashions. By the 19th century dollmaking was progressing at a fast pace. Papier mache was adapted in Germany for making doll's heads, ball joints were used, which gave dolls more natural arms and legs. New materials included gutta-percha( a rubber-like gum), glazed porcelain, unglazed parian( a soft china), India rubber, and bisque. Imperfections were covered with gesso ( plaster of paris and glue) before the dolls were painted. In England, wax was perfected for the construction of doll's heads, the English also made some of the earliest "baby" dolls, and another 19th century development was the cutout paper doll. At the same time, simple rag and cornhusk dolls remained popular, distinctively American products. Vulcanized rubber dolls were introduced, and the first "baby" doll that could sit upright was shown in Europe. Metal heads were made, and then celluloid heads. Composition mixtures of various pastes were concocted that could be molded into smooth, almost unbreakable doll parts.In 1865 the first American doll-manufacturing firm was founded. By the time the century ended , the popularity of the "Lady" dolls had faded and "baby" dolls were the most popular. Modern Dolls - The early 1900's brought European dolls with bent legs; the "Kewpie " doll was introduced, and "Raggedy Ann" was created .Between 1925 and WWII innovations included sleeping eyes with lashes, dimples, fingernails, and dolls that drank water and wet. After WWII, vinyl plastics provided dollmakers with the kind of basic material they had been looking for. Late 20 th century dolls look and feel alive , and many have action features. Some of today's dolls walk and have facial expressions thst change. Hair can be repeatedly washed and styled because the hair is firmly imbedded in the scalp. Among the most popular modern dolls are the "Barbie" dolls, which have a variety of clothing and accessories; and " Cabbage Patch Kids", dolls with stylized features, which gained popularity in the U.S. and abroad from 1983 on. For over a century, doll collecting has been a very popular hobby, and collections have been exhibited in museums throughout the world. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ /"Professional Crafters"/"Rose Arbor Crafts" This article may not be reprinted, all or in part, without the author's express permission. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~ Morning Afternoon Evening