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Doll

1948-1950 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This object is one of a collection given to the museum. The collection is quite important as it belonged to Dennis Arkinstall. Dennis worked in the toy industry for a company called Lines Brothers Ltd, they were mostly famous for their Tri-ang range of toys. Dennis was a sculptor and worked in the research and development of new toys for the company in particular the dolls which were produced under the Pedigree trade name. The catalogues highlight that their range of dolls are realistic and produced by a sculptor. We do not know when Dennis started working at the factory but we know that he was an influential figure in the designing of their most popular doll Sindy, which was produced in 1963.

This collection includes dolls from other manufactures as he would have collected them to inspire new ideas. They are often just heads, which was not uncommon as these were usually exported in large numbers and the bodies made at their destination as it was a cheap way to manufacture. The collection also includes moulds and experimental pieces from the factory as well as complete ones in their presentation boxes.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 9 parts.

  • Box Lid
  • Box Base
  • Shoes (Footwear)
  • Pair of Socks
  • Underwear
  • Shirt
  • Jacket
  • Trousers
  • Doll
Materials and techniques
Cloth, fabric, card
Brief description
Cloth doll with box made in Germany by Käthe Kruse in 1948-1950
Physical description
A cloth doll dressed in a cream shirt with black trousers and jacket. The doll has short blonde hair and his facial features painted on. Although the body is cloth, his head is made of a harder plastic. The doll is also wearing a pair of cream socks and black, shiny shoes. He comes in a box which has a cream interior and a red exterior. The red outside is decorated with patterns in gold and the manufacturers name 'KATHE KRUSE'.
Dimensions
  • Doll height: 49.5cm
  • Width: 22cm
Marks and inscriptions
'Alle meine Puppen sind ganz aus Stoff gefertigt/Sie sind mit Wasser und Seife zu waschen, wobei nur das Gesichtchen nicht gerieben werden soll. / Sie werden in meiner Werkstatte unter meiner standigen personlichen Leitung hergestellt. / Sie sind weich, warm und unzerbrechlich und ihr Sinn ist: Erziehung zur Mutterlichkeit' (Inside the lid of the box)
Translation
All my dolls are made entirely of fabric They should be washed with soap and water, with only the face is not to be rubbed. They are made in my workshop was under my personal leadership quality. They are soft, warm and unbreakable and their meaning is: Education for Mutterlichkeit
Credit line
Given by Donald Arkinstall
Object history
This item belonged to Dennis Arkinstall, who worked for Lines Brothers Ltd as a sculptor. It was given to the museum by his son after his death.
Summary
This object is one of a collection given to the museum. The collection is quite important as it belonged to Dennis Arkinstall. Dennis worked in the toy industry for a company called Lines Brothers Ltd, they were mostly famous for their Tri-ang range of toys. Dennis was a sculptor and worked in the research and development of new toys for the company in particular the dolls which were produced under the Pedigree trade name. The catalogues highlight that their range of dolls are realistic and produced by a sculptor. We do not know when Dennis started working at the factory but we know that he was an influential figure in the designing of their most popular doll Sindy, which was produced in 1963.

This collection includes dolls from other manufactures as he would have collected them to inspire new ideas. They are often just heads, which was not uncommon as these were usually exported in large numbers and the bodies made at their destination as it was a cheap way to manufacture. The collection also includes moulds and experimental pieces from the factory as well as complete ones in their presentation boxes.
Collection
Accession number
B.71:1 to 9-2010

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Record createdNovember 2, 2010
Record URL
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