DOLLS
affective memories
the dolls
Among the materials used in the manufacture of ancient dolls, wood and fabrics stood out. Usually the head was made of wax, in molds made from sculptures. The material most appreciated by collectors was, however, pottery, which made it possible to make biscuit porcelain heads and a type of white porcelain with an appearance similar to marble.
From 1869 onwards, it became possible to manufacture dolls on a large scale, thanks to the appearance of celluloid. Then came other materials such as PVC and plastic.
There are several materials currently used to make the dolls, such as: wood, straw, fabric, plastic, porcelain, paper, plush and vinyl, papier mache, wax and plaster, among others.
Types of dolls
Some of these materials give peculiar characteristics to the dolls, creating a unique style:
hard plastic doll
They are made of hard plastic painted to the skin tone and tend to have crisp, more defined features. They were very popular between 1940 and 1950.
rag doll
Many rag dolls have flattened rag faces with painted features, handmade clothes, and yarn wigs. The Abayomi created by the artisan from Maranhão, Lena Martins, stands out here.
porcelain doll
The finest porcelain dolls are made by burning pure clay and the translucency of the material makes them more elegant.
wooden doll
They go back to primitive times; some are highly carved pieces of folk art in American or European linden.
Paper doll
They are characterized by being paper figures that are cut out, with clothes and accessories cut separately.
papier-mâché doll
They are made of a mixture of torn or crumbled paper, glue and water, thus gaining hardness and resistance, which gives the material great durability.
biscuit dolls
They are made of matte white porcelain, twice fired, and which in color and appearance mimic white marble.
make-up doll
They are made from a mixture of various components, such as sawdust, paper, glue and plaster...
Artisan Lena Martins and one of her creations
art for the @baobazinho workshop
