Doll, possibly dressed as a bride

Physical description

poured white wax, very thinly cast shoulder head with wax lower arms and legs (left arm has melted and the wax is stuck to the dress), black bead eyes, red painted mouth and the remains of yellow painted hair which is slightly modelled; coarse linen stuffed body with stitch joints at the hips and knees; around the hip area the linen is marked with red stripes
cream silk gauze dress with deep collar and flounced cuffs, trimmed with satin, and deep flounce at hem; at the neck is a line of lace and satin bows, around the waist is tied cream ribbon; undergarments consist of a waist petticoat of linen with a hem of broderie anglaise, an under waist petticoat of plain linen and a pair of silk gauze 'stockings' with tucks and lace trim stitched to the knee area of each leg - these represent the bottoms of pantaloons rather stockings; necklace of tiny white and metallic beads

bonnet of open woven straw decorated with cream ribbon and the crown painted white; inside is attached a lace cap
bonnet of woven straw covered with cream satin decorated with embroidered net, gauze, quilted panels on the crown and inside brim, braid and a small bunch of artificial flowers
cap of silk net decorated with cream satin ribbon and artificial flowers
bouquet, wax flowers and buds on paper bound wire

Place of Origin

England, Great Britain (made)

Date

1830s (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

poured wax, satin, silk gauze, ribbon, woven straw, silk net

Dimensions

height: 12 in, height: 2 in head

Object history note

The doll belonged to Laura Elizabeth Hall who died in 1844 aged 17 years. She was the daughter of William and Hannah Hall, nee Townsend, of Penkhull & Kingsley Staffordshire. Laura Elizabeth Hall was the great, great, great aunt of the donor Mrs. A Redmayne.

Historical significance: The wax head and limbs are poured and hollow with the wax extremely thin and see through. However, the facial characteristic and those of the limbs are based on solid wax heads. As the doll was made about 1830 it shows a limked between the earlier solid heads and the refinement of the later sophisticated poured heads.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

The Ultimate Doll Book

Materials

Wax; Satin; Ribbon; Straw; Silk gauze; Silk net

Techniques

Woven; Poured

Collection code

MoC