Restoration: Polish Doll

This project came to me before Christmas but I haven't had chance to tell you about it. It was a lovely little restoration project just before the holiday period. This doll belonged to my client since her childhood. Although I do not know the exact history, a helpful sticker on the base of the foot proclaimed it to be polish. It was made entirely from wood, with painted features, and synthetic hair.

Before Treatment

The doll was actually in a fair condition. Due to an elastic band joint in the legs deteriorating, the legs of the doll had become detached from the main body. Some of the hair was lifting from the scalp and a plait unravelling where the ribbon was missing. Otherwise, the doll was in a clean condition with very little surface damage. I was commissioned to carry out repairs on the legs and hair.

It was decided that the joint would not be replaced with elastic, which may deteriorate again, but with a strip of leather. It was felt that the leather would with stand the movement of the legs for the longest period of time without fraying or splitting. So the first thing to do was remove the old elastic and one of the dowels in the side of the leg. The new leather was entered into the holes and secured with adhesive.

Leather strip visible at the side having been fed through the holes in the legs and body. The leather was then cut.

The hair was also plaited and secured with sympathetic coloured thread, and the hair adhered back to the scalp.

After treatment

I think that she ended up looking great, and hopefully will last for many more years to come.
xx