Chic boudoir dolls with their own hands

Since ancient times, these or other kinds of dolls accompanied the person. At first they were just wooden items wrapped in pieces of skins. Gradually the dolls followed their masters evolved, becoming more like a human being. The beginning of the 19th century gave us a completely new look, intended for girls and even women, but practically not interesting for children - they are boudoir dolls.

The concept of

The name of these toys completely explains the place that they occupied in the house. Boudoir dolls, or, as they were called, "bed" and "salon", were an indispensable accessory in any home. It was a stylish decoration, with which grown-up girls played, dressing them, giving them natural poses, photographing them. Often these creatures were companions and at the time of publication - in this case they tried to dress in the same style as the hostess.

Since boudoir dolls are an accessory, they must be noticeable, almost noticeable. So, their growth should not allow them to get lost in the couch cushions. It is for this reason that the smallest dolls were not less than 50 cm, on the average, their growth reached 90 cm. Sometimes, specimens were made up to 120 cm - these were very convenient to take with them on a visit or on a trip.

Causes

It is difficult to say unequivocally why the boudoir dolls appeared. One of the reasons was the decline in childbearing and, as a consequence, the ruin of factories that produce toys. The head of one of these factories decided that if dolls are not needed for children, they may well like adults, you just need to adapt the appearance of the toy to the needs of girls who have already grown up.

Others believe that the French, yearning for beauty during the First World War, decided to express in this way the need for beauty.

Anyway, the first boudoir dolls originated in France.

First appearance

It is believed that this accessory was first introduced to the public by Paul Poiret in a fashion show at the very beginning of the 1910s. He dressed the pupa in the same style as the model that carried them. The French society enthusiastically accepted a new trend of fashion, but in other countries this trend was supported only by 1915-1918.

Popularity

The dolls were especially popular by the 1920s, in demand until the end of the fortieth. This can be explained by the fact that women during this period gained independence, they had the opportunity to work, to choose themselves how to look, what to dress up for. And they decided that such a toy is a suitable companion in their new life. These changes are reflected in the appearance of the dolls: their eyes were brightly colored, the lips covered with red lipstick. There were often short haircuts, and one of the leading manufacturers produced even dolls with a cigarette.

The moment when the popularity of this accessory reached America, it became very important for manufacturers. For amateurs from the US began to produce a huge number of different models: cowboys, Indian women, movie stars. At one time, dolls in the style of "nude" were very popular. For them, a huge number of clothes and accessories were made, which their owner was enthusiastically changed several times a day.

Salon beauties are often made to order, trying to achieve similarity to the one for whom it was intended. These dolls began to symbolize material prosperity and a certain status in society. Grooms gave them to their brides, dressing up in wedding dresses and decorating with jewels.

Materials

Since most of the "life" boudoir dolls spent lying on the sofas, their bodies were soft, "weak-willed," which allowed them to take languorous poses. The body was made of various fabrics, while the head was made of papier-mâché, composite or even felt. The inner parts of the dolls were sawdust, fluff, cloth or even hay. At first, the legs and arms were composite, but later such babies appeared, whose limbs were of celluloid.

Doll today

Today these accessories are very rare - boudoir dolls. Some of them are posted by collectors, but most of them are in very poor condition. There are two reasons for this. First, they were never considered a value, so they were treated accordingly. Secondly, dolls are made of materials that do not involve durability. Most of the toys that have survived to this day have very worn out clothes, a lot of patches on their faces, faded paints, significantly thinned hair. Often the limbs of these dolls are less than what the manufacturer has created. Of course, lovers and collectors, if possible, restore them, but still time has forever left its mark. Therefore, those who want to buy a boudoir doll in good condition prefer to order a "replica".

With your own hands

Now many amateurs are trying to figure out how to make a boudoir doll. There are various master classes, courses, video lessons. Many of them are taught to create exactly what was the decoration of the showrooms a hundred years ago.

Of course, today the boudoir doll is made by own hands with the help of other materials, much more modern ones. The body is sewed from various fabrics, stuffed with synthetic or wool. Hair is most often natural or made of special materials that mimic natural hair.

Dolls, made a hundred years ago, could not take poses that require a rigid framework. They mostly lay in cushions. The modern mobile boudoir doll often has in its design details that allow not only to sit without support, but also take different postures that are peculiar to a person, and sometimes stand with simple adaptations.

Today, this toy is no longer a companion to the ladies coming out into the light, it does not decorate the homes of most of us. Only big puppet industry enthusiasts and lovers of antiquity are engaged in their manufacture. In the homes of such people, and even on the shelves of collectors, you can now meet this interesting creation - a salon doll.