Cloth dolls have been around since people started using woven fabrics for clothing. Mothers putting pieces of left over cloth together into an easily portable companion for their children is a natural act of love. Any type of fabric can be used for the construction of these toys. They became known by the name of Rag Doll.
Over time people started using softer, more luxurious fabrics for their creations and it was not unusual to see silks and velvets used for faces and gowns on the doll. Some doll makers painted faces onto the doll after it was complete using oil paints for a longer lasting effect. Beading and buttons often took the place of eyes and enhanced clothing worn by them.
In the middle of the nineteenth century toy manufacturers began mass production of various types of this doll. The patterns were generally printed on the fabric and included facial features. They were then cut out, stitched together and stuffed with cotton. At this point hair and clothing were added to some. Others had the hair and clothing printed directly onto the pattern. During the 1880s some manufacturers made the doll from hand sewn worsted fabrics and employed people to hand paint the faces onto the completed forms.
One version of the rag doll that has been around for decades is Raggedy Anne. She was rescued from an attic and used as a prop for a father while entertaining his daughter. Later he put the adventures of Raggedy Anne into print and she became an instant success story. She was later partnered up with her pal Raggedy Andy and the two of them are still a popular item for children today.
A new version of doll was created in 1920 in Europe. It was a fabric doll made with a wire frame that allows it to be posed in different ways and used as a decorative piece for the home. These became very popular because of the wide variety of colors, fabrics and designs that were used in making them. They were made of the highest quality materials and advertised as being not for children to play with.
The Art Doll is currently a very popular product as well as a project for people who wish to create their own designs. Most are caricatures of real people dressed in the most outlandish clothing available for the theme of the doll. Part of the charm they hold is the use of many different mediums when making them. Some artists use beading, paper and paints when putting the finishing touches on their creations.
If you are considering the purchase of one of these vintage companions as a collection piece it is important to gain as much knowledge on the subject as you can before you buy anything. There is so much to know and so many ways you can be fooled that this is not an item for the impulse buyer to consider.
Learning what is authentic and what is not is a long term endeavor that should not be taken lightly. Many of the pieces for sale today are very costly and you may not be able to return it after your purchase is finalized. You can educate yourself with the books that are available but as a good measure a novice buyer should perhaps have it authenticated by a professional.
Over time people started using softer, more luxurious fabrics for their creations and it was not unusual to see silks and velvets used for faces and gowns on the doll. Some doll makers painted faces onto the doll after it was complete using oil paints for a longer lasting effect. Beading and buttons often took the place of eyes and enhanced clothing worn by them.
In the middle of the nineteenth century toy manufacturers began mass production of various types of this doll. The patterns were generally printed on the fabric and included facial features. They were then cut out, stitched together and stuffed with cotton. At this point hair and clothing were added to some. Others had the hair and clothing printed directly onto the pattern. During the 1880s some manufacturers made the doll from hand sewn worsted fabrics and employed people to hand paint the faces onto the completed forms.
One version of the rag doll that has been around for decades is Raggedy Anne. She was rescued from an attic and used as a prop for a father while entertaining his daughter. Later he put the adventures of Raggedy Anne into print and she became an instant success story. She was later partnered up with her pal Raggedy Andy and the two of them are still a popular item for children today.
A new version of doll was created in 1920 in Europe. It was a fabric doll made with a wire frame that allows it to be posed in different ways and used as a decorative piece for the home. These became very popular because of the wide variety of colors, fabrics and designs that were used in making them. They were made of the highest quality materials and advertised as being not for children to play with.
The Art Doll is currently a very popular product as well as a project for people who wish to create their own designs. Most are caricatures of real people dressed in the most outlandish clothing available for the theme of the doll. Part of the charm they hold is the use of many different mediums when making them. Some artists use beading, paper and paints when putting the finishing touches on their creations.
If you are considering the purchase of one of these vintage companions as a collection piece it is important to gain as much knowledge on the subject as you can before you buy anything. There is so much to know and so many ways you can be fooled that this is not an item for the impulse buyer to consider.
Learning what is authentic and what is not is a long term endeavor that should not be taken lightly. Many of the pieces for sale today are very costly and you may not be able to return it after your purchase is finalized. You can educate yourself with the books that are available but as a good measure a novice buyer should perhaps have it authenticated by a professional.
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