Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Venus and Israel ( Izannah Walker style black dolls )
From left to right facing the picture are Venus and Israel. These are an effort to make some dolls that are like the antique black Izannah Walker doll that was once owned by Richard Wright. These dolls are super rare and I have only seen the one from pictures. If any others are out there, they are certainly not being shown and must be owned by private collectors. My dolls are about 20 inches tall and are pressed cloth head dolls, made in the same way as the antique ones are made by pressing fabric and glue into a mold. They have on their under ware so far as I have not decided about the dress fabric. I had picked out a wonderful blue that was slightly purple, but did not have enough to make two dresses, so I will have to go back and re think the fabric. Israel has a longer face than Venus partly because her head was glued together while Israel's head was sewed together. This caused a lot of tugging and pulling trying to get the thread through the head. She also had a slightly misshapen head too. I like the dolls equally and am not surprised they are a lot different, only sharing the same core features. I imagine there are more antique Izannah Walker black dolls in existence, I just wish they would make some pictures of them. Mor
e pictures will be put up when they are all dressed up.
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These are wonderful pictures, Martha. I love the background. I know it must be one of your paintings. And I love the dolls. The craftmanship in both of them is second to none. I wonder if you or your husband did the sewing of the two head sections together. I keep a small pair of jewelry pliers handy when I am sewing so I can pull the needle through with them when the going gets tough. Do you have a picture of the original black IW doll? I would love to see it.
ReplyDeleteSplendid work, Martha!
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies. I will get a picture of the antique black Izannah Walker doll and put it on here for everyone to see. She is beautiful. I did sew the doll head together myself. It was hard to do and I don't think it made much difference with this doll, but in the future I might change the head stockinet construction and then sewing atleast along the top of the head might be necessary.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love these babies. You always manage to get such a glow when you paint your dolls. I LOVE the lamb skin--I remember ages ago when I decided to be brave and buy some. I've done exactly one doll with it, and it's still waiting for me to do more. The differences between these dolls is part of their charm--the way brother and sister look alike but different. :~) I wish there were more photos of the black AND boy Izannah dolls.
ReplyDeleteMartha, Such a lovely pair. I love your black dollies and the hair is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThese dolls are so unique! Truly a lovely pair of Izannah siblings. Love the addition of hair. :o)
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone. I do like these black dolls, but I love all black dolls too. I am starting my third head now. The antique black Izannah is such a beauty. Hope I can come a little closer to her this time around.
ReplyDeletemaking a comment to try to straighten out my name . It is listing me as anonymous. This is Martha
ReplyDeleteMartha, I am just stopping by to say hello. I surely do miss seeing your lovely new work here. I am not good at keeping up on the facebook group, but will work at it a little harder. Mary
ReplyDelete