The Penny Doll

At Christmas, John decided to carve a penny doll. It was his first, copied from a 19th century pattern found in a 1985 magazine. He didn't have the correct wood on hand, so she is rather primitive, but now that he has the hang of it, I'm sure there will be more to come. She definitely has a charm of her own, and I will cherish her.

Penny dolls were very popular in the colonial time period. They were called 'babies' then. Just as today, the dolls taught little girls how to care for toys, how to share, and how to mimic their own Moms.  Even though they were called babies, dolls in colonial times were always adults.

Some penny dolls arrived fully dressed in the latest fashions from France and England for the Milliner's shops, making them easier to copy for customer dresses than sketches. The fashion dolls were completely clothed, including corsets and undergarments. Milliners also placed the dolls in their shops as a few examples of the lavish fashions available.

I have only seen original 18th century fashion dolls in museums, but reproduction dolls are scarce, too. It takes time and patience to carve, paint, and dress them. If you happen to have one, treasure it. . .Not only is it valuable, it's a part of our colonial history. . . French and English. . .