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| 9-inch oil-painted cloth doll by Sue Sizemore, made in 2004 |
Even though her hair looked a disheveled mess, as illustrated in the above photo, taken by the seller, I wanted this 9-inch oil-painted cloth doll because she is an early Sue Sizemore. Without double-checking to ensure the site from which I ordered had my current PO box mailing address, the order was placed and unfortunately shipped to my former PO box. Because the forwarding service from the old PO box to the new expired several months earlier, the post office returned the doll to the seller! From the date of purchase until the seller resent the package to the correct address, a total of 17 days elapsed. I had been in communication with the seller throughout this time. Thanks to her generosity, I was only charged half the cost of the return postage.
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| Getting her hair coiffed |
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| Her hair looks much better now that it no longer looks windblown. |
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| Painted-on black books have white painted-on buttons. |
Dressed in pink and tan gingham dress and off-white pantaloons (both are sewn on), she has painted-on black boots with painted buttons. On her back she bears the artist's signature with '04, representing 2004, written below the signature.
Her attached hang tag contains the artist's 2004 contact information on front. The back contains the doll's handwritten description: "Primitive doll/wool hair/homespun/pink dress/Sue Sizemore."
She appears more comfortable in the seated position, but with the aid of a doll stand or if propped against something, she can stand, too. I initially was going to use her as a doll for my larger Sue Sizemore doll, Maya. Because she has such a mature face and has white strands of wool that streak her brown hair, I think I would rather Maya hold a baby doll instead.
dbg
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Worth the wait. Thanks for sharing your pictures.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering why she's described as primitive even though her face was painted so realistically (and beautifully) and she has features like hair? Is it a term used to indicate a doll is homemade or made according to tradition as opposed to factory made? Does it mean it has to be entirely handmade? I thought it also meant old but she was made in this century.
Hi Maricha,
DeleteI think in this doll's case, at the time she was made, the use of the term "primitive" was widely used to describe handmade folk-art dolls, but most primitive dolls at that time, and even now, are mere caricatures of people, some grotesque caricatures, in my opinion. This doll does not fall into that category. Sue, who no longer refers to her dolls as primitive, might have used the term then because primitive dolls were at the height of their popularity and using it would garner interest in her dolls from primitive doll collectors. I personally am not a fan of primitive dolls. I want my dolls to look like people and not caricatures.
Here is a link to one of Sue's dolls in her Etsy shop (described as a one-of-a-kind oil painted cloth doll). Isn't she gorgeous?
Here is a link to a doll that fits the true primitive doll description. View more on this Pinterest Primitive Dolls board.
Thanks for asking. I thought about addressing primitive dolls when writing the post and should have followed through.
dbg
Thank-you for clearing that up and for the links.
DeleteI only like dolls when they're good looking and clean which is why I enjoy seeing your collection. You take such care to restore your dolls when they need it and have them in impeccable clothes. I'd say yours is more of a doll haven than an ordinary collection.
You're welcome, Maricha.
DeleteThank you for complimenting my collection. I too enjoy dolls that are aesthetically pleasing. I don't mind sprucing them up a some, when necessary, but for the most part, I prefer they arrive ready for display or play.
dbg
Thanks for sharing you Sue Sizemore doll. She looks great.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I am enjoying your Black History Month posts, too.
Deletedbg
This doll is gorgeous. She did a wonderful job on the face. She looks very realistic.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vanessa. I really love Sue's work, the early dolls and the ones she is making now.
Deletedbg
She's wonderful. I love all the detail in her face painting. What a real work of art!
ReplyDeleteThank you, jSarie!
Deletedbg
I swear, you got some doll skills!! Love her "primitive" descriptions, lol. I think she is a beautiful custom doll that was created for someone special and after all this time, she was made for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brini (I try.) :-)
DeleteSo sweet of you to say she was made for someone special. She's home now.
:-)
dbg
Now that's a cloth doll to have! Congratulations on finally getting her. She was meant to reach you ;-)
ReplyDeleteShe arrived at a snail's pace, but I am happy she made it. Thanks, D7ana!
Deletedbg