Posted 10 years ago
katrinasloft
(1 item)
Hi -
I have recently unpacked a box of dolls that my mother collected when she was a child - late 1940's, early 1950's. I found this 'doll' in the picture and could not find anything on the figure or internet - there are no markings on the doll, the feet appeared to be carved wood, the body seems to be clay? It is very heavy. Does anyone know where or when or who made this doll/figurine?
Thanks for your help!
Hi, such an interesting doll! It seems there are some clues--the lions on the clothes seem to suggest a country flag (maybe Belgium?), the colors could be another clue, or the orange in hand? Not sure, but I love it! I will be watching!
It is a tourist doll . I can not tell what county it represents but it would be a novelty doll not a toy.
Hi - Thank you for the responses and clues! I now believe the origin is Spain - Spain has the red and yellow colors and I have found soldiers with white feathers from the headdress. I did see the orange fruit he was holding (I thought it was an apple at first but it looks like an orange) and I believe he is carved entirely from wood; he has no movable body parts.
So by tourist doll, this means he probably was made by a local vendor to sell to tourist?
Hi, interesting! He could have been imported from somewhere and the maker made dolls for different places. Could be like dolls from around the world? Seems to be a lot of symbolism going on with him. Just a guess though : )
He's Belgium! I saw an image of people dressed like this for a Mardi Gras in Belgium!
Google vintage Belgium Mardi Gras doll and there are some like him : )
Wow! You are absolutely correct - I didn't know my mom traveled to Belguim and even during Mardi Gras. :) Here is a perfect description I found:
This doll represents the ‘Gilles de Binche’, carnival figures from the town of Binche in the Wallonia region of Belgium. The Gilles are all male and wear linen suits with heraldic designs. They carry baskets of oranges to throw at the crowd during the street parade. Some wear large feathered hats.This doll is a small tourist doll but very authentically dressed, holding an orange in his hand and a basket with oranges in the other. Metal bells and wooden shoes.
Thank you so much! You all have solved the mystery.
Awesome detective work! : DDD