Wednesday, July 22, 2015

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.

 

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