Another recap:  Despite this little gal’s worn and somewhat battered face, the chipping and cracking, including around her old glass eyes, it’s a sweet little face with rosebud type lips. In fact, the little gal looks like she could be a Shirley Temple doll. Given I have a few images to share on this topic, I’ve divided it into three posts this being (1) 

 

 

Here she is with her 2 friends.  The bodies, or parts thereof, are made of composition.  What is a composition doll you ask?

A composition doll is a doll made partially or wholly out of composition a composite material composed of sawdust, glue, and other materials such as cornstarch, resin and wood flour. The first composition dolls were made in the 19th century. They were marketed as unbreakable, compared to earlier more fragile dolls.

The one on the right, with non original black head, shows the ball-jointed body.  Yes, the joints are in need of some re-stringing and, yes, a hand is missing.  But I love the dollies just as they are, as I found them, even minus a head.  It is easy to to add a head. And I have no intention of changing dolly let alone admitting him/her to the doll hospital.

 

 

There is something alluring about these sweet old composition dolls each one having a distinct personality and character, discoverable in the wear and tear, the cracks, chips and crazing.

Most times I have no information about a doll’s history, who owned it or how it ended up as I found it.  I assume a doll ended up the way it came because it was loved and cherished by its former owner or owners. Yes, I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder 💙

 

 

 

And chubby little feet.

 

 

That little belly button (navel) is also cracked & chipped.  Somebody  loved this little gal . . . and more in (2).