The dolls

 

 The dolls measure about 70 cm., they are composed by a head, a neck, arms and legs are pratically made of white or pink ceramic, the body consist of a stuffing; besides that, almost all of my dolls have natural hair.

The whole collection includes about 100 models, divided into 3 groups:

 

The first group is inpired by the fashion, throughout a period of 6 centuries (from 1300 to 1915).

 

The second group is inspired by the Italian folklore, these dolls wear the original clothes that were worn in various parts of Italy in the 18th and 19th centuries. (All the Italian regions are represented).

 

The third group reproduced the mask of Venice Carneval.

 

The models of the dresses that the dolls wear are the result of a deep and documented investigation. Afther having made the various parts that compose the doll, I paint the face and afther a careful study of its countenance I decide whether it will be a 16th century lady, an 18th century noble woman or a lady of the beginnig of the 20th century.

The same procedure has been applyed to those dolls wearing popular clothes: I first paint the face and then I decided whether the doll will wear a Sicilian dress, an Apulian dress or a Tuscan dress.

 

As for as the Venecian masks are concerned, the procedure I apply is different. Carneval, the one in Venice in particular, is extremaly fanciful and for this reason creativity and imagination are free to range over different styles. Usually I take my inspiration from the masks I see go round in Venice during Carnival season.

As for the clothes, more than for the fabric (so difficult to find) I keep to the patterns I discover in old books in different Italian libraries.

Lady dolls have, mostly, natural hair sticked in tufts on their head and then combed according to that time fastion. Dolls with popular costume have synthetic hair becouse they always wear hed-squares or hats.

All dolls are rigorously only copies becouse are completely hand-made and bear the mark "Gigliette".

 

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