Various sized wooden beads can be wired together to create bendable bodies. The beads are left natural with only the facial features painted and hair is formed from flax. The 9.5 in. doll on the left was made in Germany. On the right is a 5.5 in. basic bead doll that has been waiting many years for attention. Both can stand by themselves on sturdy feet. They date to 1986.
The 3.5 in. dolls with roly-poly bodies and plastic faces are Daruma dolls from Japan. Rather than wooden bodies, theirs are lightweight plastic balls covered with brocade fabric. The large 7.5 in. wooden doll from Japan does not have a nodding head but one that turns on an inserted dowel.
This is a collection of Kokeshi dolls made in Japan from lathe turned wood. The head is on a dowel inserted loosely into the body such that it nods when moved. They are brilliantly painted and more of an ornament than a toy. Sizes vary from 3.5 to 9 in. Some date from the 1950’s.
The 7 in. peg-wooden doll is cooking on a cast iron stove while the 4 in. children look on. This little family would feel right at home in a doll house.
The two 13 in. artist’s manikins posed here were precision made of hardwood for adjusting in many positions. I made both outfits from a pattern specifically drafted for them. The similar manikin holding a spool doll shows its construction.
A 2.25 in. wooden Tyrolean couple can be seen inside this house plaque. They were originally made to be a lapel pin and hung together on a chain attached to a safety pin. Their arms and legs are peg jointed. The house (circa 1950) is marked, “This Plaque is a Genuine Hand Carved Item made in the Italian Alps.”
These 8 in. twins with wooden heads on felt bodies were easy to make and fun to dress. I made them for Christmas many years ago when all the kids were still at home.
Could these three jolly 7 in. wood elves be Santa’s helpers on the day after Christmas? They are staying cozy in their knitted outfits after a job well done. A tag on their foot reads “Made in Sweden.”
These 8 in. walnut head folk dolls have similar carved wooden bodies and arms. Dowel legs are pegged into the body. The one with the basket has a tag that reads, Grandma Snazzy, An Ozark Doll. It is a vintage mountain folk art doll circa 1930’s-1950’s created by Vina Smith.
This 9.5 in. carved and painted wooden doll is made to dance on a board by holding the stick attached to its back and vibrating the board. The arms, hips, and legs are loosely joined to allow for the dancing movements.
