Fashion Doll thumbnail 1
Fashion Doll thumbnail 2
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Not currently on display at the V&A

Fashion Doll

ca. 1875 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

French doll. Bisque socket head and shoulder-plate (neck socket lined with kid to prevent chafing). Fixed blue glass eyes, closed smiling mouth. Blonde hair wig with braids and curls, on a cork pate. Body made from fine white kid leather with gusseted hip, knee and elbow joints, individually stitched fingers.

Wearing a fashionable day ensemble in blue wool (bodice, polonaise overskirt, hem flounce on underskirt) and sea-green/blue silk (underskirt, bow trimmings on bodice). White cotton underwear with lace trimming. Sea-green silk bonnet with scarlet silk pinked ribbons, trimmed with red silk pom-poms and black feathers. Striped blue, red and cream silk stockings and high-heeled dark leather boots with three gilt buttons.

Also associated with the doll is a white cotton nightdress with lace trimming.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 14 parts.

  • Stocking
  • Stocking
  • Boot
  • Boot
  • Chemise
  • Drawers
  • Petticoat
  • Petticoat
  • Hat
  • Petticoat
  • Skirt
  • Bodice
  • Nightdress
  • Doll
Materials and techniques
bisque head & shoulders, glass eyes, leather body, silk, wool and cotton clothing, hair wig.
Brief description
Fashion doll, French, circa 1875. Day ensemble in silk and wool.
Physical description
French doll. Bisque socket head and shoulder-plate (neck socket lined with kid to prevent chafing). Fixed blue glass eyes, closed smiling mouth. Blonde hair wig with braids and curls, on a cork pate. Body made from fine white kid leather with gusseted hip, knee and elbow joints, individually stitched fingers.

Wearing a fashionable day ensemble in blue wool (bodice, polonaise overskirt, hem flounce on underskirt) and sea-green/blue silk (underskirt, bow trimmings on bodice). White cotton underwear with lace trimming. Sea-green silk bonnet with scarlet silk pinked ribbons, trimmed with red silk pom-poms and black feathers. Striped blue, red and cream silk stockings and high-heeled dark leather boots with three gilt buttons.

Also associated with the doll is a white cotton nightdress with lace trimming.
Production typeUnique
Object history
This doll is unmarked, however, the very high standard of her finish and specifications and the smiling mouth indicates that she was probably produced by the high-quality French dollmaker Bru. She could also be by Francois Gautier or Jumeau.
Production
Attribution note: Whilst the head is from a mould, the fine quality clothing of this doll and the specifics of her finish could not be replicated, making her unique.
Collection
Accession number
T.108-1925

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Record createdAugust 17, 2007
Record URL
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