Doll News Summer 2015 - (Page 64)
Russian Stockinette Dolls
by Linda Holderbaum
L
These two ladies are from the Smolensk region, southwest of Moscow. The basic outfit is
the same for both dolls here, with a blouse or rubakha in white linen with red embroidery
on the sleeves, neck and hem underneath the sarafan. Both wear leggings and lapti. The
label on the doll on the right reads: "MADE IN RUSSIA// Smolensk district woman." The
linen label of the lady on the left reads: MADE IN SOVIET UNION//Smolenski district
woman." The doll on the right is from the collection of Rosemary Deal.
64
SUMMER 2015
ord Thomas Babington
Macaulay once wrote, "The
study of dolls is the study of
mankind." Dolls truly are a wonderful
way to learn about other cultures,
customs and traditions. One of the
most interesting countries to study
is Russia, one of the world's largest
countries with the most diverse
cultural groups within its borders.
Collecting dolls for over forty-five
years, I have found some of the most
intriguing Russian dolls are the cloth
stockinette dolls, in particular the
series of 14-to-15-inch dolls depicting
adults. Produced from the 1920s to the
1940s, resource information has been
difficult to find and in some cases
less than accurate. While other sizes
of stockinette dolls and tea cozies
were also produced, this article will
concentrate on this larger size.
No information exists as to who
made the dolls. It is generally believed
that they were made in some type of
cottage industry, sewn at home from
patterns by village women. With the
uniformity of the face molds and
painting of the facial features as well
as the consistency of costuming,
perhaps they were made up as a kit
and assembled by a worker at home.
The dolls are made of silk
stockinette fabric with adult features.
In most cases the entire doll is of
stockinette material. If not the entire
doll, at least the face and hands are
stockinette. The fingers are molded
together with the thumbs held away
from the fingers. The dolls are solidly
stuffed in a standing position. The
facial features are painted onto the
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Doll News Summer 2015
From the Editor
UFDC Offi cers and Regional Directors
President’s Message
Conference Calendar
A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Members / Getting to Know You – The UFDC Club President’s Survey
Fundraising Committee Report
The Marvelous Magical Betsy McCall
Betsy Original Paper Doll
The Story behind UFDC’s Emblem – Miss Unity
Steiff ’s Timeless and Beloved “Teddy Baby” Bears
Native Alaskan Dolls
Russian Stockinette Dolls
The Mark Farmer Company Story
Dress Up Fun with Betsy McCall, a Game
Tammy – The Doll You Love To Dress
The Care of An American Icon
A Study in Aesthetics: Considering the Uncanny Doll
Maternal Love – The Dolls of Anne Myatt
Patti Playpal – A Big Doll for a Little Girl
Who Dressed Betsy McCall
Heavens to Betsy!
UFDC Region 14 Conference – Golden Memories
Club Notes
Reviewing Resources
In Our Memories
Donations
UFDC Nominating Process – 2016 Election Information for Regional Directors
MAL Form
News & Notes
Doll News Summer 2015
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