Doll
1921 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Lenci dolls were created by Elena Scavini (born 1886 in Turin): 'Lenci' was the diminutive form of her name by which she was known. Her family was of German descent, and she studied art in Düsseldorf from 1906-1908, remaining in Germany until just before her marriage in 1915 to Enrico Scavini, who eventually became her business partner. Elena and her brother started a doll-making venture to supplement her income while her husband was away fighting during World War I. The felt which has always been their most characteristic material was evidently readily available, even during the war, probably thanks to Turin's cloth-producing industry. In 1919, the name Lenci was finally registered as a trademark by Enrico Scavini, and the letters were also said to have been used by the company to spell out the motto "Ludus Est Nobis Constanter Industria" (Play is Our Constant Work), though it should probably be 'ludus est noster constanter industria'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Felt |
| Brief description | A dressed felt little girl doll made in Italy by Lenci about 1921 |
| Physical description | A little girl doll made of felt, she has curly auburn hair and pink flushed cheeks. She is wearing a pink organza dress with a tiered skirt and felt trimmings, a pearl bracelet and necklace and pink shoes. She is in her original box. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Serena Sorri |
| Object history | The doll belonged to the donor's mother, Bruna Borsatti (b.1909), who lived in Trieste Historical significance: It is unusual to have a Lenci doll that belonged to an Italian rather than the many exported to Britain. |
| Summary | Lenci dolls were created by Elena Scavini (born 1886 in Turin): 'Lenci' was the diminutive form of her name by which she was known. Her family was of German descent, and she studied art in Düsseldorf from 1906-1908, remaining in Germany until just before her marriage in 1915 to Enrico Scavini, who eventually became her business partner. Elena and her brother started a doll-making venture to supplement her income while her husband was away fighting during World War I. The felt which has always been their most characteristic material was evidently readily available, even during the war, probably thanks to Turin's cloth-producing industry. In 1919, the name Lenci was finally registered as a trademark by Enrico Scavini, and the letters were also said to have been used by the company to spell out the motto "Ludus Est Nobis Constanter Industria" (Play is Our Constant Work), though it should probably be 'ludus est noster constanter industria'. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.34:1,2-2003 |
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| Record created | December 16, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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