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."


Sunday, March 28, 2010

The Georgian Period 1714-1830

This transition time embraces the Napoleonic Wars, the madness of King George III, the War of 1812 (1812-1814) and the Regency (1811-1820). This period, from the beginning of the war with France in 1793 to George IV's ascension to the throne in 1820 shows vividly the vast change in England's economic and social face.
The richly decorated gowns worn by wealthy Georgian women were often adorned with an "eschelle stomacher" (a fancy corset designed to be worn in public and adorned with bows of decreasing size) above the waistline and an embroidered and trimmed petticoat below. Ladies' skirts were supported by wide hoops made of cane or rattan, and sometimes laid over quilted under-petticoats. Under the hoops and corset, ladies wore "shifts" (knee-length undergarments with elbow-length sleeves adorned with a froth of lace).

Men suits were made from rich velvets, silks and satins, and decorated with braid, embroidery, and buttons of gold, silver, and jewels. A gentleman's suit consisted of a long and flared coat, sleeveless waistcoast, shirt adorned with lace ruffles at the wrists and neck, and knee breeches. Men also wore silk stockings with embroidered designs at the ankles and high-heeled shoes.
Men also wore wigs for formal occasions. In addition to powdering hair, fashionable men of the period applied makeup (pale powder, rouge, and lip color), as well as carried fans and embroidered silk handkerchiefs drenched with perfume.


Georgian Doll House Reproduction

Early Georgian Period Doll

Wearing of shawls in early 19th century Charles Auguste Racinet's Le Costume Historique (1888)
Empire/Regency and into Victorian period fashions; Notice emergence of the Poke Bonnet
A time for transition in fashion styles.

Both Georgian dolls are hand made Georgina Ritson Original Dolls.

Early 19th century Georgian Period Doll


Georgian Pearl and Rubies pendant, encasing an exquisite child's miniature portrait.

The loss of some of the American Colonies in the American War of Independence was regarded as a national disaster and was seen by some foreign observers as heralding the end of Britain as a great power. In Europe, the Napoleonic Wars dragged on for nearly a quarter of a century, bringing statesmen and national heroes like the Duke of Wellington and Admiral Lord Nelson home to huge public acclaim.
England moved swiftly from the artisan/cottage industry firmly into the industrial revolution and the fringes of the Victorian age and Edwardian eras that were to follow.

7 comments:

  1. Once again i have been completely drawn in to your most informative blog dear Marta! I would love to get a closer peek at that dollhouse!

    This may sound crazy, but I wish we still dressed like that! ~I might miss my jeans though ;-) ~
    Hugs,
    Nan

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  2. Beautiful blog! I'm happy to start following you.

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  3. Congratulation!!! It is a blog that me lover, marvellous photos, hurts that there is no translator and I cannot enjoy the text. To my also I like the wrists(dolls) and the ancient mode, and this one is a blog with which who will enjoy. Xisca

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  4. What can I say? Your posts are allways very interesting. I mean it. I enjoy your descriptions about clothes. Además, haces que La Historia parezca fácil.

    Tengo que mandarte una foto del palacio de muñecas que tengo sin terminar. Me ha sorprendido la foto que has puesto de la doll house. Lo comprenderás cuando la veas.

    Por supuesto, me encanta "The Madness of King George".

    Besos.

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  5. Marta, es que me ha enamorado tu blog,es precioso, y muy interesante.
    el Palacete, que estoy haciendo, lo quiero recrear, casí al final de la era georgiana, así que tu blog me vá, de perlas.
    Un abrazo, y me verás amenudo por aquí.
    Carmen.
    No te preocupes por el idiona, yo utilizo el traslator, a veces no es una traduccion muy correcta, pero con buena voluntad, nos entendemos todos. Besitos

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  6. Gracias Dora...eres muy amable. He puesto un link con tu blog en mi pagina principal. Tu artesania es bella, me encanta to blog.
    Besos
    Marta

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