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Several years ago at the Children's Museum in Indianapolis,
Indiana, I was privileged to inspect a German lady doll purchased
about 1906 in France for a local child. The doll came in a
rather large trunk, along with an extravagant trousseau of
about fifty items, providing a wonderful model for today's
dolls. She wore a finely made two piece dress of pink silk
(which has greatly deteriorated through the years). The dress
had a coat to match, richly ornamented with lace and pleats.
There was also a white silk dress and one of eyelet embroidery.
The underlinens
included a chemise and drawers which formed the foundation.
A white muslin petticoat trimmed with lace and a pleated double
ruffle, two corsets, and a garter belt rounded out the ensemble.
Another necessary item was the nightgown.
Among
the impressive array of hats, dolly could choose one with
a pink velvet crown and white felt brim, which flaunted flowers
and egret feathers. Or she could select a straw hat embellished
with ribbon and feathers. Another straw hat sported wax cherries,
leaves, and velvet ribbons. The braided horsehair hat, embellished
with flowers, or a black velvet hat with soft crown might
be the choice of the day. A hatbox of wood covered with black
oilcloth could hold only one hat of the collection. After
deciding which hat was suitable for the day's activities,
dolly would throw on a hooded cape of velvet lined with silk
for a crisp fall walk, or, if it was raining, don her brown
satin raincoat with shoulder cape.
Footwear
included tan mesh stockings, tan laced boots with flat heels,
black single strap shoes, and single strap white kid shoes
with flat heels.
To complete
the trousseau, and to educate her owner in proper etiquette,
accessories were plentiful. They included:
- A
parasol of pink silk and one of red silk
- Two
veils-one of black silk lace and the other of gray net
- Four
pairs gloves
- Three
purses
- A
jewel case and lorgnette
- White
linen handkerchief
- Two
fans
- Sunglasses
- Tortoise
shell combs
- A
perfume bottle
To keep
in touch with dolly's friends were stationery, stamps, and red
sealing wax. |
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