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Not currently on display at the V&A

Dressed Doll

1865-1867 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Although at least one 18th century bride doll exists, the idea only became really popular with the growing 19th century fashion for white wedding dresses. Before this date, wedding dresses might be of almost any colour, although blue was one of the most popular choices, and green one of the least.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Bisque, kid and cloth
Brief description
Doll dressed as a bride, probably made by Bru in France between 1865 and 1867
Physical description
The doll has a moulded bisque swivel head and shoulder plate, stuffed calico body and legs, kid arms, inset blue glass eyes, and blonde mohair wig. She is dressed as a bride in an elaborate two-piece dress of lace-trimmed white satin, with a long train and tasselled sash.
Dimensions
  • Height: 33cm
Production typemass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • B (trade mark; head and shoulder plate; moulded)
  • DEPOSE (forehead under hair line; moulded)
Historical context
Many seamstresses used scraps of material to make doll clothes to earn extra money for themselves. Often the materials were too large a scale for the dolls and this is evident in the lace trim of this doll's skirt.
Production
The style of the dress is 1867. The marks on the doll's head and shoulders appear to be early versions of the Bru factory but there is no conclusive proof.
Subject depicted
Summary
Although at least one 18th century bride doll exists, the idea only became really popular with the growing 19th century fashion for white wedding dresses. Before this date, wedding dresses might be of almost any colour, although blue was one of the most popular choices, and green one of the least.
Bibliographic reference
Collectors' Encyclopedia of Dolls, Coleman
Collection
Accession number
T.47-1955

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Record createdMarch 22, 2001
Record URL
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