Several years ago, I packed up my Mother-in-laws Doll
Collection with the help of my daughter. My Mother-in-law had cherished these
dolls as the one piece of femininity in her home of four sons and a husband. She
spent hours sewing for them and dressing them. They were displayed in two small
bedrooms. Some she had brought at auctions and some she had made. I have
special memories of my daughter, the first grandchild, sitting upstairs with
her Nana playing tea parties with delicate china and the dolls! Unfortunately due
to ill health she was no longer able to care for them and the decision was made
to pack them away safely.
We took photos of all the dolls and wrapped them in acid
free tissue paper and bubble wrap and they were then boxed and left in a spare
room. There they sat for several years, lonely and forgotten.
When I brought a digital camera I decided that I would catalogue
the dolls again and note any markings they had. Again my daughter helped me and
at the same time took her own photos of the dolls almost coming to life again
out of the boxes for NCEA Photography Portfolio.
When the family home was sold, the boxes of dolls came to
live in my garage, but this time carefully labelled, wrapped, boxed and
digitally catalogued. There are over 50 dolls in the collection, mostly
undressed.
I have decided to dress these dolls and find out where they
were made and build a full catelogue of them. Some, my favourites, I will keep but some I will sell as I don’t
believe they should live in boxes unloved!
This is the last doll my Mother-in-law made. Just a head
with stunning purple eyes. One day I will finish her.
This is another doll she made and dressed.
