Anne Rice Quote: “When you loved dolls and studied them, you started to love all kinds of people, too, because you saw the virtue in their expressions, how carefully they had been sculpted, the parts contrived to create the triumph of this or that remarkable face.� Taltos
Courtesy, R. John Wright Dolls
The quote says it all. World Doll Day celebrates our love for dolls and doll collecting, but it also celebrates a day when through their dolls, miniature portraits of themselves, the people of the world come together.
Native American Applehead Doll, courtesy Theriault’s
It is no accident that, at least when I was small, The United Nations Gift Shop sold dolls. It is also no accident that the international symbol from women is based on an Ashanti doll from Ghana, or that Picasso was inspired to paint The Demoiselles of Avignon after seeing a collection of folk doll in a museum.
Brown Bisque Bru, courtesy Theriault’s
Dolls are the original goodwill ambassadors, and they are often sent and kept as tokens of good will. Shirley Temple’s legendary doll collection, auctioned by Theriault’s last year, is testament to the good will and peace dolls represent. Many of Temple’s dolls were sent to her by fans all over the world. There is a doll at The Eisenhower Library, a gift to the President from the people of Brittany, I believe. There are other dolls in The Hoover Presidential Library Westbranch, Iowa. A recent exhibit there featured the international doll collection of Caroline Kennedy.
Chinese Portrait Dolls, courtesy Theriault’s
Courtesy, R. John Wright
Many Museum collections include ethnic dolls , folk dolls, international costume dolls, Native American dolls, African dolls, and other regional costume dolls because often
these dolls are all that is left of the cultures they represent. You have only to read books by Laura Starr (”The Doll Book,” 1908), and Max Von Boehn, (“Dolls and Puppets”, 1927). The former online museums and web pages, J.A.D. E, for Japanese American Doll Enthusiasts, A Page for Japanese Dolls, and Michael Cosgrove’s International Doll Museum were wonderful examples of sources for international dolls. Noted doll author sand photographers, Barbara and Lloyd Pickering collected and photographed costume and folk dolls from all over the world for a museum they put together. “Doll Castle News” and “Antique Doll Collector Magazine” often feature articles on Native American Dolls, composition dolls wearing ethnic costumes, and dolls from Brittany and Germany.
Marin, 18th Century, Siglo Diez y Ocho, Photo courtesy Margaret 95, Tsagaris Collection.
Other wonderful books featuring dolls of the world are Pam and Polly Judd’s books, Janet Pagter Johl’s books, Loretta Holz’s “The How-To Book of International Dolls,” Gwen Whites Books, Leslie Gordon’s books, Mary Hillier’s “Dolls and Doll Makers,” Manfred Bachmann’s “Dolls the Wide World Over”, and John Noble’s books. If you get a hold of volume D of the 1950s’ “World Book Encyclopedia”, look up the article on “Dolls.” World Book had great information on dolls of the world.
French dolls with Portrait of a Young Girl at a Toy Bazaar
Sam Pryor, former vice president of Pan Am, had his collection written up in “National Geographic Magazine,� Dec. 1959. He founded his own museum, the International Doll Library Collection. His friend, the great aviator, Charles Lindbergh, collected automatons.
Greek Theater Doll, Tsagaris Collection
Lenci Type, Italy, Tsagaris Collection
Lindbergh Portrait Doll, Displayed with Metal Dolls and Dolls With Metal Parts, Hinges and Hearts Exhibit, German American Heritage Center. Dolls, Tsagaris Collection. Photo by Jerry Lowe.
When I was 10, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago had an international doll collection. The Indianapolis Children’s Museum had one when I visited in 1994, as did The Museum of the Americas in Spain, with my visit taking place in 1981. The Milwaukee Public Museum has a wonderful collection, including a Japanese friendship doll. Shankar’s International Doll Museum, The Yokohama Doll Museum, The Strong National Museum of Play, The Unique Doll Museum, and many others all over the world feature national and international costume dolls, and dolls we call “tourist” or “souvenir dolls.” I’ve been to public places and restaurants all over the world that decorate with souvenir dolls, and they are often the spoils of a once in a lifetime trip.
Center doll Mint German Minerva Metal Head wearing German Regional Costume, formerly Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art, currently Tsagaris Collection. Displayed at German American Heritage Center. Photo by Jerry Lowe.
Monkey Baby by Mikki Brantley, Bunting Baby Artworks, Courtesy, Mikki Brantley
Indian doll with rare kitchen, courtesy, Caroline Johnson
My family has traveled or lived on every continent, except Antarctica. A close family friend when there, so we’re covered! They brought dolls; many of them still reside at my Grandparents’ home, and several came home with me and began my own collection when I was 3.
French CanCan Girl, Orly Airport, 1969. Photo by Dino Milani
Many collectors overlook souvenir dolls, but I think they should take a second glance. Lenci made many souvenir dolls, so did Petit Colin. SFBJ produced dolls in French regional costumes, some with labels that read Eden or Jumeau. In 1969, I brought a cancan girl back from Orly Airport, Paris. The walls of the gift shops there were lined with gorgeous celluloid dolls in French costume. Since that trip when I was very, very little, I confess that I have a weakness for all French dolls! Marin of Spain, 1928, has long been admired for their beautiful dolls in Spanish costume and historical dress. Steiff has made dolls and bears in costume for at least a century, and Furga and other Italian doll companies create beautiful examples.
Dolls from France, Italy, Belgium, and the US, Tsagaris Collection
They tell a story, one of national pride. Greek dolls have been celebrated in my own humble publications, and in the works of Maria Argyriades of the Benaki Museum. In fact, dolls by Lenci and Steiff have influenced the amazing creations of R. John Wright.
Doll from Tibet Churning Butter, courtesy Caroline Johnson
If some would say it takes a village to raise a child, then I would say it takes an international doll house to make a great collection.
Black Doll, Tsagaris Collection, photo courtesy kolfin9, ebay
This World Doll day, my tiny doll hats are off to the doll hospitals still operating around the world, to the international doll factories and artists still working out there, to the unsung folk heroes of doll creation who continue to make these small works of art, made in our own image.
German Dolls and Christmas Dolls on display German American Heritage Center, Tsagaris Collection
Bebe Reclame, Tsagaris Collection