What is a Doll?

How long have we had this love affair with Dolls?

Pearls of Wisdom:

New World Dictionary describes a doll as - "a child's toy, puppet, marionette, etc. made to resemble a human being."


Friday, January 29, 2010

Dolls of religious significance






The earliest dolls made out of wood were not playthings--they were symbolic and ceremonial figures, often of a religious nature. Their beauty and craftsmanship makes them a desired collectable, but by no means should they be considered as a secular doll.
They were purely made by artisans for use as religious statues. The hands are in uncomfortable or impossible looking poses, the faces are extremely expressive and the overall posture, exaggerates these emotions. Because creating these figures was usually a community group effort, and the carvings of heads, legs and hands was done by different people. As a result, it is quite common to find hands that are not in proportion for the size of a particular doll.

1 comment:

  1. Hola Marta.

    Me encantan las imágenes religiosas antiguas, aunque en España, a la gente que no es religiosa, les suele dar miedo. Hay algunas very very spookies!

    Y me gustan muchísimo los belenes napolitanos. Yo puse dos fotos en la entrada: "YA LLEGO EL FRIO". No sé si las has visto. El elefante del Rey Baltasar, es una belleza.

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