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Novelty Doll

1870-1889 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Wax doll representing a baby 'hatching' from an egg: the doll's head lifts out to show a small space to contain sugared almonds. It was enclosed in a decorative gift box at a later date.

Wooden display box; glass front which curves back at the top; with an oval glass panel at each side. Around the front edge, holding the glass in place, are strips of brass decorated with a punched floral pattern, with some colour remaining such as red on the flowers. The box stands on four triangular matching metal feet, one at each corner. The box is lined on both sides with pale pink velvet which is cut out with the oval shape of the glass panels. At the back are metal hooks on small nails; these hold the backboard in place.

Base board; card covered on the top with pale pink velvet and decorated with artificial cloth flowers, the bottom is covered with pink paper.

Backboard; wood decorated on one side with a diamond shaped mirror surrounded by strips of pale pink velvet and pink cotton; in each corner and at the centre top are groups of artificial cloth flowers. At the top centre is a silk ribbon bow.

Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 5 parts.

  • Head
  • Body
  • Box
  • Box
  • Box
Materials and techniques
Wax doll parts; papier mache; wood; glass; velvet cast wax pieces; moulded papier mache; decorated wood and glass display box
Brief description
Novelty doll, a baby hatching from an egg, in a glass-fronted box, made in France or Germany, 1870-89
Physical description
Wax doll representing a baby 'hatching' from an egg: the doll's head lifts out to show a small space to contain sugared almonds. It was enclosed in a decorative gift box at a later date.

Wooden display box; glass front which curves back at the top; with an oval glass panel at each side. Around the front edge, holding the glass in place, are strips of brass decorated with a punched floral pattern, with some colour remaining such as red on the flowers. The box stands on four triangular matching metal feet, one at each corner. The box is lined on both sides with pale pink velvet which is cut out with the oval shape of the glass panels. At the back are metal hooks on small nails; these hold the backboard in place.

Base board; card covered on the top with pale pink velvet and decorated with artificial cloth flowers, the bottom is covered with pink paper.

Backboard; wood decorated on one side with a diamond shaped mirror surrounded by strips of pale pink velvet and pink cotton; in each corner and at the centre top are groups of artificial cloth flowers. At the top centre is a silk ribbon bow.
Dimensions
  • Height: 300mm
  • Width: 295mm
  • Depth: 170mm
Production typeMass produced
Object history
Probably formerly in the collection of Kay Desmonde. An apparently identical doll (down to a pencil-like mark on the egg shell) from her own collection appears in her 'All Colour Book of Dolls'
Production
Dolls of this type were presented as Easter, Christening or birth gifts. Such special occasion gifts rarely survive.

Reason For Production: Retail
Subjects depicted
Association
Collection
Accession number
B.109:1 to 5-1993

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Record createdApril 17, 2000
Record URL
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