Crazy for Grodnertals!
Inspired by the charming ceramic dolls made by Jenny Barnett, and a chance image of a Grodnertal head she sculpted out of wax, I have plunged into making my own take on the wooden dolls made in the early 1800's. They were carved by people in the Grodnertal area of Germany during the wintertime when they couldn't work in the forest. They also go under the name Tuck Comb doll, because of the carved comb in the doll's hairstyle, or peg doll because of the pegs holding together their wooden joints. I am not sure who was responsible for dressing these dolls. I have read that many were sold undressed and then dressed by their new owners. The costumes have really captured my fancy. I especially like the late Regency/Empire styles, as well as those extravagant early Victorian dresses with gigot sleeves. Dressing dolls has taught me so much about historical costume, since I have to make my own patterns. Bless the internet! I am not handy at carving wood, so I have sculpted my doll