People have been making and buying dolls for their children for thousands of years. The first dolls were modeled after the gods and were used as instructional aides. Years later, dolls became playthings for children of both sexes. They were made of primitive materials, often clay, wood, or fur. Unfortunately, few specimens have been recovered from the prehistoric period.
However, archeologists have uncovered dozens of dolls from ancient Egypt. Since most of them were found in graves or tombs, these dolls were well-preserved. Historians also remind us that whenever an Egyptian was buried with an item, it meant that it was a cherished or prized possession. These early Egyptian dolls were made of flat pieces of sanded wood that were often painted and decorated with hair. The hair was made of strings of wooden beads or strings of clay. The earliest of these dolls were found in tombs dating back to 2000 BC.
It was not until Greek and Roman times that dolls were made specifically for girls. They played with them for several years and then, when they were old enough, they offered them as gift to their favorite goddess. Most of the dolls that have been recovered from these periods were found in the graves of little girls.
But even in the most primitive dolls, historians have noticed a common theme. The focus of doll making, whether done by a parent or a professional, has always been to make the dolls as lifelike as possible. Dolls with removable clothes and moveable limbs that date back to 600 B.C. have been uncovered.
Centuries later, Europe became the hub of the doll making universe. In fact, dolls were so popular by the 16th and 17th century that, for the first time, there was such a thing as a professional doll maker. Of course, dolls were still made of wood, but the craftsmanship and attention to detail was beyond anything that had been produced in the past.
By the 19th century, a new material hit the scene. It was called porcelain, and it was made by firing special clays at extremely high temperatures. Of course, these dolls were not children's playthings—they were quite fragile. Oftentimes, they were used as simple decorative pieces.
But the most important innovation in the history of doll making had nothing to do with a material—it had to do with the subject. Before the late nineteenth century, most dolls were made by and modeled after adults. But the famous French "bebe" doll of the 1880s depicted a much younger girl. After bebe dolls, almost all dolls were modeled after children.
In the later, lean years, rag dolls were a common and inexpensive gift mothers could make for their daughters. They were generally constructed of linen or cotton and they only took a few hours to make. More often than not, they were a little girl's first toy.
And when those little girls grew up, many of them began collecting dolls as a hobby. One of the most respected doll makers in the country is the Franklin Mint. Known primarily for their coins (they are a mint, after all), the company has been producing limited edition dolls for adults for decades now.
Each doll is handcrafted by an experienced artisan, often from vinyl. The Franklin Mint calls them Portrait Dolls, because they are modeled after a famous picture of a fictional or historical figure. For example, the Scarlett O'Hara Final Farewell Vinyl Portrait Doll captures the moment when Scarlett utters her famous valediction, "After all, tomorrow is another day."
These dolls are only available for sale while supplies last, and they typically sell out fast. After that, the doll is retired, i.e., it will never be offered again. Because the supply seldom meets the demand, many collectors are forced to purchase these dolls at higher prices on Internet auction sites or at estate sales.
What makes them so special? Aside from their rarity and fine craftsmanship, the dolls also capture a famous historical image. This makes them instantly recognizable and gives them sentimental value for collectors who are fans or admirers of the subject. Princess Diana, Marilyn Monroe, and Jackie Kennedy are perennial favorites.
One of the most exciting new dolls to be offer by the Franklin Mint in several years is the Michele Obama Official White House Portrait Doll. Shortly after her husband came to office, Mrs. Obama posed for an official portrait in the Blue Room of the White Office. The doll captures that historic moment, along with the poise, elegance and natural beauty of the First Lady. Fitted with a black dress, black pumps, stud earrings, and a faux pearl necklace, the doll stands exactly 16 ½ inches and is made of vinyl. The Franklin Mint limited the dolls to 9,900 worldwide.
The next time you're looking for a great gift for either a deserving young woman or a doll collecting friend or relative, consider the impressive history of doll making and a few of these great dolls.
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