The dress she came with was dirty and not original. After taking off the dress, this prettier, lacy dress was underneath along with adorable silky undergarments. It was then, also, that I noticed her marking on the neck.
If you look closely, you can barely make out "Metrop". I searched online for any information about this maker and was pleasantly surprised to come across this website:
Doll Reference
The background information on composition dolls was particularly interesting:
"The early composition dolls are made from glue, glycerin, zinc oxide and Japanese wax and are heavy and dense, the coloring can be almost grey or brown. Each manufacturer kept their exact "recipe" a secret. When the doll dried, it often was dipped into a pink tinted glue composition which was a thin layer (but not all dolls have this.) Then the doll was airbrushed with oil paint. By 1916 or so the manufacturers began using ground-up sawdust, also called "wood flour", which made a much lighter doll. Now a "hot press" method could be used, and the dolls dried even quicker, so production of the dolls increased."
I found that this doll was made by, "Metropolitan Toy and Doll Company" which was in business from 1924-1929. As stated on Doll Reference dot com, "Metropolitan Doll Company 1924-1929 - a USA company that made composition dolls and parts, including: mama, baby, hair loop bow, and cries. Some of their dolls were designed by famous doll sculptor Ernest Peruggi."
This finally explains the hair loop bow which was the first thing that drew me to this doll and is something I have never come across before. I also assume that the arms, legs and body of the doll is stuffed with sawdust.
Bringing history into each piece is what makes this hobby rewarding. I hope you agree.
If you are interested in purchasing this doll, she will be listed under the "Primitives" category to your left.
No comments:
Post a Comment