Mannequin thumbnail 1
Mannequin thumbnail 2
+7
images
Not currently on display at the V&A

Mannequin

1903-04 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Fashionably dressed doll, probably used as a shop display model, legs, arms and shoulder-head of pink wax, inset brown glass eyes, rooted dark brown human hair wig and eyebrows of hair inlaid into wax. Wearing elegant, elaborate day ensemble of pale blue silk crepe de chine, two-piece dress with bodice overlaid with machine imitation Venetian needle-point lace, front of bodice and high collar in pleated chiffon, wired lapels and flaps of lace arranged around collar, each edged with black velvet. Deep flounced wrist cuffs of chiffon. Full length skirt composed of layered tiers on a silk taffeta foundation (shattering), each tier edged with black velvet ribbon and narrow lace. Necklace of twisted gold chain interspersed with turquoise beads. White silk damask top-petticoat with deep pleated silk chiffon flounce and hanging ribbon bows. Knickers and petticoats of white cotton trimmed with deep bands of Valenciennes lace, threaded with three blue silk ribbons. Black knitted silk stockings, lower part of sock in lacework, flat black glacé leather pumps. Handkerchief attached to wrist of dress in fine lawn with triple ruffle of lace. Tortoiseshell comb in hair. Large hat in ruched silk chiffon over a wire framework, trimmed with wired bows of blue velvet and black ostrich feather trimming.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 14 parts.

  • Doll
  • Hat
  • Skirt
  • Petticoat
  • Clothing
  • Bodice
  • Petticoat
  • Chemise
  • Drawers
  • Stocking
  • Stocking
  • Shoe
  • Shoe
  • Comb
Materials and techniques
wax, glass eyes and hair wig, silk, lace, cotton and leather clothing, hat of ruched chiffon over wire framework with ostrich feather trimming.
Brief description
Wax and cloth mannequin in silk, lace and chiffon afternoon ensemble.
Physical description
Fashionably dressed doll, probably used as a shop display model, legs, arms and shoulder-head of pink wax, inset brown glass eyes, rooted dark brown human hair wig and eyebrows of hair inlaid into wax. Wearing elegant, elaborate day ensemble of pale blue silk crepe de chine, two-piece dress with bodice overlaid with machine imitation Venetian needle-point lace, front of bodice and high collar in pleated chiffon, wired lapels and flaps of lace arranged around collar, each edged with black velvet. Deep flounced wrist cuffs of chiffon. Full length skirt composed of layered tiers on a silk taffeta foundation (shattering), each tier edged with black velvet ribbon and narrow lace. Necklace of twisted gold chain interspersed with turquoise beads. White silk damask top-petticoat with deep pleated silk chiffon flounce and hanging ribbon bows. Knickers and petticoats of white cotton trimmed with deep bands of Valenciennes lace, threaded with three blue silk ribbons. Black knitted silk stockings, lower part of sock in lacework, flat black glacé leather pumps. Handkerchief attached to wrist of dress in fine lawn with triple ruffle of lace. Tortoiseshell comb in hair. Large hat in ruched silk chiffon over a wire framework, trimmed with wired bows of blue velvet and black ostrich feather trimming.
Dimensions
  • Height: 83cm
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
Peter Robinson, Outfitter Regent Street, London (According to accession record, this is label inside doll's clothing. Did not undress doll to check.)
Credit line
Given by Sir Bruce Ingram
Object history
This doll's large size and the superb quality and high standard of her costuming, as well as the exceptional facial modelling, indicate that she was probably made as a mannequin rather than a doll that might be played with by a child. She was dressed to reflect the high standard of quality, taste and design available from the department store Peter Robinson's dressmaking section.
Collection
Accession number
T.40-1952

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdDecember 14, 2007
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest