I’m excited to post my first photos of Lavinia, who I purchased at this year’s annual UFDC convention. I knew she would be mine the second I saw her, because she lit up the table she stood on and practically screamed, “make me dresses!”
Lavinia is a 16″ pressed porcelain doll made by Schlaggenwald in the 1840’s. The dealer wasn’t certain enough to definitively label her as Schlaggenwald but I’ve since studied an article in Antique Doll Collector Magazine (September and October 2011 issues) by Susan Moore. Lavinia has all the typical characteristics of Schlaggenwald dolls, including her rosy cheeks, mouth shape, distinctive eye highlight, curled outer edge of the eyelid line, and three sew holes.
She also has the same beautifully shaped hands and feet as shown in the the article:
I’ve already fabricated a HUGE wardrobe of dresses for her, wigs are on order, and I’ve started sewing her underpinnings. It’s always a treat to plan clothes from a new time period for me, and it’s possible I’ve gone a bit overboard.
Okay, I’ve gone a lot overboard.
Truthfully, more than overboard, as you’ll soon see. Meanwhile, Lavinia and I are getting to know each other. She’s quiet, but there’s a glint in her eyes that tells me she’s going to be lots of fun once she settles in!