Antique German Doll Redressed

On the weekend I shared a before photo with yall of an antique German doll that I had been asked to re-dress for a dear sweet neighbor...Today I am sharing the end result...

On the back of her head I found the stamp "Germany - 136 5"
This would indicate she was made in Germany, using head model number 136 and is a mold size 5...My research tells me that this doll head was in production during the 1890's and early 1900's...making her close to 120yrs old...This doll has had 3 companions over the years and is been well loved for many decades by her current companion who named her Suzy.

Aunt Audry and her beloved Suzy...Suzy is now wearing a dress resembling one that would have been typical of this kind of doll originally..

This is how she arrived at my studio...Somewhere along the line someone had added a "poof" to her and made her a bed doll...

I carefully removed the poof to discover that Suzy still has the cloth part of her legs...But we are still not seeing the original dolls body...The lace top and satin pants are most definitely machine stitched and my guess was done in the 80's from what I was told of her history.

I removed that layer to find the original suede body...I did not remove the satin on the arms and legs as the integrity of the suede under them did not feel like it was still fully intact...
Which brings up the point...why are her arms and legs so stumpy?...She would have originally had porcelain hands and feet but over the last 100+ yrs are no longer with her...

Here she is today...

Click Image to enlarge to view the details of the garment...

We chose a lovely soft antique inspired patterned cotton that brings out the blue of her eyes...I accented it with white lace and a small amount of blue ribbon...The style as I mentioned is in keeping with the time period of the dolls production...I also made Suzy a set of fabric hands, which I did attach to the doll...The dress and petticoats however are fully removable.

It was such a delight and honor to work on such a loved antique doll...

Blessings Kelsie

Joining the following parties this week:
Wow us Wednesday @ http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/
Show and Tell Friday @ http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Antique German Doll

Meet Suzy - She is from Germany and was born in somewhere between 1890 to the 1900's...She has spent most of her life living within about a 3 mile radius of here and has been a companion to 3 little girls, who grew up and passed her along to the next one...

This is how she arrived at my studio earlier this week
Markings at the back of her head - Germany 136 5

I have been given the honor of redressing her for her current companion, my 85+yr old neighbor who is the "3rd little girl" to have her...

Yesterday I finished the foundation of her new dress, now just have to add the hand detailing and make her under skirts...If I am lucky I will get a little time this weekend, if not, Monday for sure...Then I will be back to share photos of the end result, as well as those I have taken along the way...My goal..To make an old lady cry *grin*

Blessings Kelsie