Featured Old fabric nativity dolls - Mary & Jesus - who made them?

Discussion in 'Textiles, Needle Arts, Clothing' started by Bookahtoo, Nov 3, 2019.

  1. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Has anyone ever seen nativity dolls like this? Mary measures about 5 1/2" long, but her legs are bent under the robe. The faces are very nicely hand painted. I can't find anything similar by googling.

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  2. judy

    judy Well-Known Member

    I haven't a clue, but I notice the hem is hand stitched. The doll's face is nicely painted. The wig could be mohair. Lovely doll in spite of condition. Could be home craft.
     
  3. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

    I think the Italians made a lot of felt dolls but WDIK from dollies? Not much!
     
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  4. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    Does she look like she has age to her? Old material?
    She made me think of Annalee dolls.
    Are you up near New Hampshire?
     
    James Conrad likes this.
  5. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Judy - she is a lovely doll. I'd love to find the set.

    Blooey - I was thinking she looked like a Lenci doll.

    Cluttered - I am near NH. I'll check Annalee dolls.
     
  6. judy

    judy Well-Known Member

    Not Lenci.

    But she does have the Annalee look as Cluttered suggests. I couldn't think of who the face resembled. TY Cluttered for the suggestion.

    Annalee's have a label sewn into their products.

    And the name of the material escapes me.....reminds me of what sacks are made of.
     
  7. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Stockinette?
     
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  8. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

  9. judy

    judy Well-Known Member

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  10. judy

    judy Well-Known Member

    Seeing the Annalee you posted reminded me that they are made of felt.

    Is the stuffing polyester fiberfil on yours?

    It's hard to tell in the photo. It could be cotton batten. It has a "pulled" look.
     
  11. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    Book
    The one you are showing is 1990s.
    Annalee started making dolls back in the 1930/40s.
    Marketing in the 1950s.
    There used to be a museum, not sure it is still in existence.
     
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  12. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    As Judy asked what is the material. Blue robe looks like cotton burlap. Is the covering to her arms cotton or polyester?
     
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  13. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    Well maybe not burlap, but cotton.
     
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  14. judy

    judy Well-Known Member

  15. judy

    judy Well-Known Member

    Burlap was the other name I was trying to remember.
     
  16. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    Ok, so not Annalee
    Maybe a copy of sorts?

    Nice write up Judy.
     
    Christmasjoy likes this.
  17. judy

    judy Well-Known Member

    If selling, I wouldn't mention Annalee......materials used are much too different.

    Nicely painted face though.
     
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  18. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    She is really sweet, Book.
    That was my first thought. Germans used to make nativity dolls in a similar style, probably still do. The ones I used to see were slightly different though.
     
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  19. Christmasjoy

    Christmasjoy Well-Known Member

    I believe she is home crafted too .. very nicely done and lovely face. It made me remember my art teacher when I was young .. he had us draw and paint a Christmas scene and I chose Mary and Jesus, Mary with long flowing blonde blonde hair. .. I worked diligently on my work of art and was very pleased with the outcome. My teacher upon inspection in formed me that Mary would NOT have had fair hair and that her hair would of been black, he then invited me to change the colour and I told him NO, I like it the way it is ... LOL ... Joy. ... :)
     
  20. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Good for you, it was your art work. Besides, not everyone in the Middle East has black hair. There are many fair-haired people there, brown and red hair too. What colour hair Mary had is anyone's guess.
     
    James Conrad and Christmasjoy like this.
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