The Old Pretenders to the Rescue Again

This little one REALLY needed our help big time as you can see.
She is the latest period and most simply and crudely made of English woodens, dating from the early 19th century. 
Having said that, its amazing when one of these little "cheep and cheerful made" dolls of this time survive in its original dress and original rolled cloth arms and original flat crude stick legs. Unfortunately someone made a huge mess of her head and face with a most hideous and inappropriate restoration. Her original plaster mask face had fallen off at some point from her nose up and someone tried rebuilding it and painting it in a most incorrect way. I told Paul I bet someone who collects vintage Barbies painted this since they gave her those upside down V eyebrows, just like a #1 or #2 Barbie has. At any rate, we were able to remove the mess and I was able to properly rebuild the face and give her the proper painting and patina she would have had if her original face had survived.
Paul did a wonderful job as well with her wig and new hat which matches the original blue sash around her waist. He also carefully covered her very frail and shattering upper bodice neckline and sleeves with a layer of the same type fabric her original dress was overlaid with.
Her owner is so happy with her now.  
Hope everyone enjoys the before and after photos of this little survivor and a few of her friend who was in bad need of restoration as well, and missing legs replaced.

 

From a very dear friend of ours who's reaction to receiving her doll makes our hearts smile.

"Dear David and Paul: Guess what!?!? The little doll just arrived and I am IN COMPLETE LOVE WITH HER!!
David her face painting and patina is EXTRAORDINARY!!!!
I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF HER! Keeping looking at all her little wonderful details and carrying her around!
Her personality and sweetness is beyond compare!
She is a true tiny treasure that stepped out of 1600's!!!!
Thank you SO much!!! She is a very special little girl!!!!
David and Paul I treasure her so much! Love the fabric so so much!

Our most recient restoration work

This sweet little late 18th century English wooden came to us missing her legs and her owner said she deserves her dignity back and we agreed. We were pleased to hear that the owner did not want this sweet little waif to be restored completely other than new legs and correct 18th century linen uppers for her arms. She loved her and her sweet funny little expression just the way she is and so do we.
Sometimes, with certain dolls, its best to leave them exactly how they have aged and survived and you have to admit, she may be missing all her paint and worn heavily but what a great face and expression she still has.
Her owner is thrilled with the results and look at what an AMAZING job Paul did carving and matching her new legs up in every way to her including aging and patina!
Her owner wrote to us and said this.

"Hi David & Paul, okay you guys have a time machine and went back to get her legs. Amazing!! Thank you so much!"