As ya'll are probably well aware of if you've ever visited my blog .....I LOVE.......ADORE......OBSESS...over boudoir dolls!
I don't know what it is about them that draws me like a magnet? Perhaps it's that they represent one of my favorite time periods in history.... the roaring 20's.
Outside of 18th century France, the 20's are my favorite time period. It was such a period of change with the "flapper" redefining womanhood and the dawn of jazz and art deco. (two of my other favorite things)
These lady dolls were not created for children. They were often naughty minxes smoking cigarettes with "come hither" eyes and lounging silk pajamas. Every chic Miss of the 20's would have had at least one (or more) adorning her bed or vanity. One could often purchase the doll unclothed and then demonstrate one's fashion sense as well as sewing accomplishment. I look at each doll as a little piece of art. My favorite dolls are those that resemble Marie Antoinette (combining both of my favorite time periods *winks*)
My little collection has grown since my last post about them HERE so I would like to share some more of my dolls with you.
There are a gazillion pictures! So I hope you don't mind?
If you love dolls please go grab yourself a cuppa and relax for a while! If dolls aren't your thing I'll be back to my thrift store finds next week *winks*
I'll start with one of my newest dolls, this wonderful smoker. I had long wanted one, but the prices can get fierce. I finally got lucky and "Genevieve" came home to live with me! I love her sultry devil may care expression, the feather in her hair, and her smoking pucker! Remember in the 20's smoking was seen as the height of sophistication, and thought to be perfectly fine for your health.....We've come a long way huh?
Just lounging elegantly in her silk pajamas *winks*
Here in my guest room armoire is where I keep most of my dolls. I've currently run out of room so if a new doll comes in, an older one will have to go to a new home. I'll start with the group views.
Top shelf......
And bottom.
OK lets zoom in on some close ups of some of my favorites. This darling Marie-esque doll is my version of DIY *winks* I already had the little bust, and I found another doll at the Goodwill that had on this lovely silk dress (for $1.99) but a really ugly plastic head (New and made of some dense plastic resin... ick!) So I cut off the old bust and glued this 20's lady to the base and "VOILA!" Another Marie for me! WHOO HOO! I LOVE her!! Isn't her dress perfect?! Usually DIY is NOT my strong suite lol! I tend to fall somewhere bellow "awful" and "hideous" but this vision actually worked out! Yes there really are miracles! *winks*
Moving on to my favorite Marie...this amazing paper mache doll bedecked and bejeweled in splendor!
She has the most exquisite details from the little rose in her hand to all of her bracelets, rings and necklace.....
to the string of pearls and rhinestones on the back of her mile high hairdo.
I only wish I had a Louis to go with her!
This is another of my favorite Maries in her tattered blue silk sitting on an antique couronne de mariee chair.
This is my newest Marie. She was a birthday gift from my sweet hubby. She is a Lilli Bates German doll. I adore her beautiful gown! Doesn't she look as if she has been running through the gardens at Versaille?
Her nose is chipped and she's a little shabby, but beautiful none the less!
And this Marie is more casual in her peasant style gown and flower covered hat.
This little lady bust is just a little bit Marie too don't you think?
This sweet lady is another one of my favorites. Her dress is silk and her bodice was made from some old beaded lace. Her nose is chipped which seems to be what most often occurs with these. I really need to learn how to fix them....... I could probably do a brisk business *winks*
Here she's sitting on another antique French couronne de mariee chair.
This little lady is also charming in her purple gown!
Another one of my favorites....
A sloe eyed beauty....
This is my only couple.... I think they look like George and Martha Washington. Male boudoir dolls are quite rare. I think it's interesting that the same face that has been used for so many of my lady dolls has also been used for this male doll?.....Or perhaps it's supposed to be a woman dressed as George Washington? (His chest is flat) The jury is out on this one.
I love the outfit and expression on this lady. Did you notice she has the same face as the sloe eyed beauty? It's amazing what a difference a hairstyle can make isn't it?
This lady was feeling a little shy about being nekkid so she's hiding behind a ribbon....
This chalkware doll has such a sweet face.
This is a rare candy box doll.
I believe this sweet lady head was part of a boudoir pillow at some point.
This one is a lingerie bag.
A pair of Victorian clad composition ladies in green out for a stroll.
A darling little girl hat stand.
A blond vamp?
A sweet senorita.
A fiery redhead holding a bird...And yes she has the same face as George Washington! Did you notice?
A couple of bed lamps.
And finally a grouping of some of my larger girls.
Well that's all for now. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed the tour and I didn't overwhelm you? If I haven't already burned your retinas with all these pictures you can find more boudoir doll beauty HERE.....But I think I might have.......Lol!
I hope you'll leave me a comment. I LOVE to hear from you even more than I love collecting boudoir dolls *winks*
Vanna
I'm joining the sweet Paula and Patti at Ivy & Elephants for:
Debra at Common Ground for:
Cindy at My Romantic Home for:
And Honey at 2805 for:




31 comments:
You have such a beautiful collection. I could stay up all night just looking at the pictures they are so pretty. take care, Darlene
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! What a collection you have. I love how you described them - they do have 'come hither looks' and then a few have funny expressions! I love their attire.
Maybe, that is really Georgia Washington! Remember Pat on SNL???
Wow! What a magnificent collection..they are all so exquisite and dazzling..all so uniquely special in their own way! I have completely fallen in love with them all..stunning beauties! Thanks for sharing such a spectacular collection!
Victoria
Hi Vanna,
What a wonderful collection of boudoir dolls. i love naughty miss Genevieve so relaxed in her silk PJs on the bed. The armoire display of dolls and quilts, stunning! My other favorites are the victorian dolls in their beautiful gowns. Beautiful collection Vanna.
~Emily
The French Hutch
Thanks for sharing your pretty doll collection. Many of them do look like they were poured out of the same mold - including George. :D
Enjoy your day!
Wow what an amazing collection of beautiful dolls you have,
I really love your latest addition ;)
Happy fall
Mari
You have a great collection, Vanna. They're all beautiful, but I love the attitude of the lounging doll.
Fabulous collection. I think I like the latest one best - she seems a bit bad - in a great way! I like the cabinet they're in as well. xx
these are my dream dolls, they're so exquisite!
I'm so glad I found your blog, you have amazing collections and great taste. And you explain things that are on the rare and obscure side. I had no idea what those dolls were used for but have always loved them!
Rhonda that's too funny! Yes I do remember Pat on SNL! I think you're right..I think she's Georgia! *winks* Vanna
Your dolls are so beautiful and quite the collection you have! I love all of there different expressions and clothes. thanks for sharing. Hugs, Pearl
Hi Vanna! Wow, you do have a large collection of those dolls!The auction where I got my 3 china dolls had some of those boudoir dolls. A dealer friend of mine said she collects them and she bought the few that they had. Your dolls have such pretty faces and beautiful clothing! I especially like Martha and George and the Victorian pair.
Also, I wanted to tell you about something fishy going on with your blog. On the day that you publish a post I get your comments from your followers sent to my email. Like 15 or so of them in a matter of 3 or 4 minutes. I just delete them but I think something weird is going on. Has this happened to any of your other followers? Let me know,ok? Gina
What a great collection of little vixens! I think that your Marie is myu favorite too - so beautiful! They are all really interesting and unique - I've never heard of budoir dolls! Thank you for sharing and so nice to see you again, dear friend! Hugs, Leena
Dolls with Attitude!!! I have never seen any of these before!!! What a great collection, I love them!!!
You're back! So nice to see you, Vanna. Your doll collection is awesome. They are so pretty and so elegant. You will have to buy another armoire pretty soon...Christine
What a collection you have! I love these dolls. I have one myself but she has no dress and no wig for that matter...but she has a great face. I just adore them. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! That is an amazing collection!
I have a few. It makes me want to find more! I just purchased a very similar Couronne de Marie... with the pink flowers and the velvet tufted chair.
Just beautiful!
Thanks for sharing.
Will visit again soon.
Elizabeth
The Porcelain Rose
Such gorgeous ladies! You have a wonderful collection and they look so pretty the way you have displayed them - oooh la la!
Danielle
Vanna, your collection is incredible! I love all the gorgeous dresses on them, and what an amazing job you did of removing that pretty dress from a cheap doll and putting it on one of your lovlies. I have to say that Genevieve stole my heart! She looks like such a flirty woman with that sophisticated(!) cig in her puckered lips. Love her long legs and her outfit too. laurie
Wow, I really enjoyed your photos. Beautiful collection!!! Have a nice weekend. ;O)
Vanna,
How funny! It is "MY" Couronne!! Yeah!
I'm so glad I purchased it! I hope one of my boudoir dolls fits on the little seat..... if not.... I will be on a quest for one that does. You are right.... I should take pic's of my dolls and post them. Great idea for a future post.
I saved this post in my fav's. Your collection is to die for.
Will visit again soon.
Elizabeth
Vanna every doll tells a different and unique wonderful story. I love all of them. I can just imagine the conversations that took place around them when they were first purchased. Man if only they could talk. Thanks for sharing my dear!
Paula
Vanna every doll tells a different and unique wonderful story. I love all of them. I can just imagine the conversations that took place around them when they were first purchased. Man if only they could talk. Thanks for sharing my dear!
Paula
Your Collection is Magnificent! And your knowledge and Information Imparted is like our Friend Richard's so I learn so much when I come for a visit! I have one large Doll {A Salvation Army 'Score'} and two small Bust Doll 'Goodwill Hunting' 'Scores'. I've passed up some other Large ones with Condition Issues because I don't have the skills to make them presentable again... I'm glad you do so that any you come across can find good Homes again where they are properly Appreciated.
Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian
Hello friend! I had to come and revisit this beautiful post..I am so smitten with your doll collection!Just..wow!
Wishing you a wonderful day!
Victoria
What an amazing collection of beauties. I've never come across one, but I'm loving seeing all of yours. I'm going to feature this post on Vintage Inspiration tomorrow, thanks for linking up!
Hi Vanna,
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog to say hello. I promise I'm going to try really hard to start blogging again, I have been just going through a hard time. My brother who was only 50 passed away on July 4th its been so hard and just made me start getting upset over my mom again... But I know life has to go on. I am so sorry to hear you have not been feeling well. I check your blog often and was starting to worry about you, glad to see you are back with all your lovelies!!! Everything is just beautiful!! I hope you are feeling well.
Hugs...
Lorene
Oh my goodness, Vanna, how did you know? I'm restoring a Munzerlite Boudoir lamp for a friend of my MIL. The sculpt was in ok condition (you're right about the nose) and the metal hands were fine. My problem has been finding resources for the hair and the clothes and WOW, I stumble over your collection through Ivy and Elephants (Love those girls.
So, I've had a wonderful morning with my cup of tea and I'm going to go back, refreshed with some new ideas. Thank you, thank you.
That's an amazing collection, by the way. The doll I've been given is closest to your one hiding behind the rosette. I can see I'm going to have to get one of my own. See you on Ebay!
Hello, I found your lovely blog through Pinterest. Your idea for the globe de mariee is inspired! Hope you don't mind, but one of my boudoir girls now sits on my French chair, just like yours. (Have added some photos to my blog today.)
Happy collecting!
Niki :)
Ooo, thank you for sharing your wonderful collection!! My friend and I started making our own dolls recently and there is so much inspiration here for dressing them!
I'm a VV, GW and antique mall treasure hunter in the Pacfic NW too! I'm in Woodinville. Where are you?
I've enjoyed your blog and your finds! It's like hunting with a friend! :)
God Bless!
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