First and Most Recent Norah Wellings Dolls

Circa 1930s 14-inch Norah Wellings Dudu #119 islander

Norah Wellings began making dolls in 1919 as the chief doll designer for Chad Valley Dolls of England.  She formed her own company in 1926 (Victoria Toy Works) where she continued making dolls along the style of Chad Valley dolls, made of cloth (velvet, velveteen, plush, and felt) with mask faces or molded faces underneath.  Many of her dolls were sold as souvenirs for the tourist industry.  Her dolls were also sold on cruise ships.

Close-up of 14-inch Norah Wellings Dudu #119 islander illustrates her expressive face and glass eyes, which seem to look through you.

I acquired my first Norah Wellings doll during the late 1990s/early 2000s from a local antiques dealer.  It is a 14-inch doll made of stuffed velvet with molded facial features, glass eyes, smiling mouth, and painted teeth.  This circa 1930s doll represents a native islander and wears only a wheat-colored and orange grass skirt and one orange arm bracelet.  The doll's left leg has orange and wheat-colored grass tied around the calf.  There is a dark area in the same location on the right leg where the same material had been tied around that leg.

Handmade scarf (by me) to cover this doll's missing hair

Some of the black mohair used for her hair is missing from the crown of her head.   I had great intentions of replacing the missing hair but never did.  Instead, I made her a headscarf using a piece of a brown and gold cotton scarf.

I have always wanted at least one additional Norah Wellings doll to upgrade the first one shown in the above photos.  That opportunity presented itself with the eBay purchase of my most recent Norah Wellings doll.  (Thanks again DS for sharing the link.)

14-inch Norah Wellings Nassau, Bahamas souvenir doll

She has such a lovely face!

Except for the usual cheek and nose rubs to the velvet, the newest-to-me Norah Wellings doll is in excellent condition.  She still has all her original jewelry and has both her original black cloth tags.

The cloth tag on the right side of the neck reads "Nassau."

Many Norah Wellings dolls found today no longer contain the cloth tag that identifies them as Wellings dolls.  My doll's identifying tag remains intact on the bottom of her right foot.

The tag sewn to the right side of her neck reads, "Nassau."  Her right foot tag reads:  Made in England by Norah Wellings.  Her sewn-on gold dress, made of velvet, has two felt orange circles on the front of the skirt and two on the back of the skirt.  Her short curly brown hair almost matches her complexion.  This circa 1930s doll was probably sold as a souvenir doll in Nassau, Bahamas.

Both are delightfully lovely dolls.  Their smiles make me smile.

The Nassau souvenir doll and the Dudu #119 islander display well together.

Links of Interest
See more Wellings dolls here.
See a rare, 36-inch doll here.
Allwin and Chad Valley Dolls

 dbg
Follow my sister blog Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black
Check out my eBay listings here.