The Many Faces of Snow White

Snow White lives in the part of our heart that holds childhood memories, so no wonder we love Snow White dolls.

BY PENNY NEWMAN

Madame Alexander's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs brings all of the beloved Disney characters to life. Photo Courtesy Alexander Doll Company, Inc. © Disney

Source: November 2003 • DOLL READER , Pages 34-37

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Did you know that in the original Grimm fairy tale published in 1812, the dwarfs were completely anonymous and played a very mall part in the Snow White story? Walt Disney gave us those seven little fellows, after consider­ing different names and personalities such as Blabby, Gaspy, and Hotsy on that initial draft. The animated full-length feature film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was completed in 1937, and Disney's movie masterpiece gave us the version of the Snow White story we cherish o much today.

There are practically as many Snow White tales a there are cultures in the world. In Scotland the story is known as "Gold-Tree and Silver­Tree," and in Italy the tale is handed down as "The Crystal Casket," or "The Young Slave." Snow White is known as Nourie Hadig in Armenia, and she is Mirabella in Portugal. In some of the fables, Snow White comes back to life by coughing up a sliver of the poisoned apple, and in other versions the tender kiss of a royal prince does the trick.

Approximately 17 inches tall, Jan Fuqua's Snow White was sculpted from polymer clay with a posable cloth body. She has German blown-glass eyes and a human-hair wig. Photo courtesy Carolyn Isenberg, Sweetheart's Dolls, Saratoga Springs, N. Y.

Creative minds in the doll world have given us varied and important three-dimensional interpretations of this charming fairy story. By bringing forth a body of work immortalizing the beloved tale, doll artists and manufacturers give Snow White a future for generations to enjoy. Happily, ever since the film's premiere, Disney has continually allowed various toy makers in the United States and other countries to reproduce Snow White as a doll.

Following the release of the Disney movie, Chad Valley in England produced a series of the characters from the film. Chad Valley made a fawn, several rabbits, and squirrels, many of whom became friends of the little medieval princess, and Snow White herself. Chad Valley even issued Snow White dolls with music boxes, and all are very hard to find today.

Fortunately, Snow White dolls are still being made today. The col­laboration between Walt Disney and Madame

This musical 16-1/2-inch Snow White was made by the Chad Valley company in England in 1938 and is one of the earliest Snow White dolls. The doll still has her standard original dark auburn wig and a Chad Valley label sewn onto her back. The fabric doll has been lovingly restored and the music box still plays With a Smile and a Song from the Disney movie. Photo courtesy R. John Wright Dolls, Inc.

Alexander is legendary, and Alexander has produced a variety of beautiful and collectible Snow White dolls. Along with a traditional Storyland 8-inch Snow White and a 5-inch Petite Storybook version as well, the 2003 Alexander catalog offers a gift set based on the classic Disney film. The set includes a 10-inch Cissette Snow White and the dwarfs. "It is a great honor for us to now work with Disney, as this gives us the op­portunity to transform our beloved dolls into the characters generations of children have grown up with. We have added that special Alexander touch to this classic, timeless film," says Gale Jarvis, president of the Al­exander Doll Company.

Carolyn Isenberg, owner of Sweetheart's Dolls in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., considers Snow White her signature doll. "Snow White was the first movie I saw as a child, and the first doll I purchased as an adult was a Madame Alexander Snow White." Isenberg commissioned a Disney-inspired Snow White for her personal collection from artist Jan Fuqua. Fuqua's one-of-a-kind, $990 Cernit creation captures Snow White as a young girl. The painstaking care and skill that went into the doll's costume is typical of Fuqua's work. Using a pulled-thread technique on the blouse that weaves red-silk ribbon through the cotton dimity, the elabo­rate costume, including red Cabretta leather shoes, was fashioned entirely by Fuqua.

Two new Snow White dolls from Mattel bring the fairy tale lo life for a new genera­tion. Photo courtesy of Mattel, Inc.

The Smith family purchased the Vogue and Ginny names in 1995, and they have brought lovable Ginny back into the spotlight. For a number of years Vogue has been producing licensed Disney products for the an­nual Disney World Doll and Teddy Bear Convention. "After several years of Pooh-related items, we decided our collectors would like to have some of the princesses," says Linda Smith, president of Vogue. This year's 300- piece limited edition Snow White, the highlight of the 2002 Disney event, is available for purchase. Vogue's 8-inch hard plastic Ginny wears a knee-length traditional Snow White costume and red Ginny snap shoes.

"In Love with Snow While" is the theme Ruth Treffeisen chose for her porcelain grouping. Snow White is resplendent in an intricately sewn dupioni silk gown, and the dwarves have painted eyes to give them a "mystical" expression. Photo courtesy Atelier Ruth Treffeisen, Wiggensbach, Germany.

Disney princesses are a favorite Mattel theme, and the company has historically produced two types of 11-1/2-inch Snow White dolls. There are Snow White dolls that relate di­rectly to the character as presented in the Disney film, as well as Barbie® as Snow White dolls that retain the conventional Barbie sculpt and face paint. The 1997 Collector Edition Snow White commemorated the 60th anniversary of the original release of the motion picture. This year's Party Princess Snow White and Dreamtime Princess Snow White continue Mattel's exciting Snow White tradition.

R. John Wright has created many extraordinary dolls based on Disney characters. Available from 1989-1993, his Snow White series features jointed, molded felt figures display­ing exceptional detail and realism.

In Wright's Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, Snow White appears in a tra­ditional Disney-inspired dress. The 9-inch dwarfs are remarkably expressive and are faithful to their characters as portrayed in the film. A 16-inch jointed Snow White in Rags was also released from 1989-1993, along with exceptionally well-made accessories that include a wooden wash bucket and scrub brush. All of the dolls were created in limited editions of 1000 and are considered by many to be among Wright's best work.

Doll artist Anna Brahms did not look to Disney for her Snow White group. "I would say that my vision comes from an old Grimm's fairy tale picture book from Europe, with illus­trations painted in the early 1900s," she says. Brahms' one-of-a-kind figures are made of fimo with bodies of cloth over wire armatures. Intricate costumes of silk and velvet adorn all of the wonderful characters. The sculptures are so expressive that the viewer can actually feel the emotional ties and tension that exist among the dolls in the collection. The set includes Snow White and all seven dwarfs, as well as the evil stepmother.

"I did some fairy tale scenes before, but none like the variety the dwarf scenes brought along," says German doll artist Ruth Treffeisen. Ruth created a limited edition of seven sets of her porcelain Snow White Collection in memory of her beloved childhood friend Elisabeth. The most sumptuous fabrics embroi­dered with genuine pearls and garnets were used in Snow White's costume. Specially designed wigs help emphasize the unique character of each dwarf, and all have different body types, appropriate accessories, and spirited poses. Each figure is available separately, and the group as a whole retails for $16,000.

Doll artists Judith and Lucia Friedericy created eight one-of-a-kind wax-over porcelain figures for Dear Little Dollies in Bellmore Village, N.Y. The unique set, priced at $3300, features Snow White and seven lively dwarfs seated on a log that was dis­covered by Louis Camilleri, the shop's owner. "I found the log in the Ver­mont woods some 15 years ago," he remembers. "The shape and features fascinated me, and the log rested in my basement until I saw the Friedericys' unique Snow White concept. Lucia's reaction was enthusiastic, and just look at the remarkable results."

The magic of folk and fairy tales give us a cross-cultural glimpse of myths, legends, and knowledge that has scrupulously been collected for hundreds of years. Each story is a gift and each interpretation a valuable in­heritance. The doll maker adds greatly to this tradition by giving a distinct three-dimensional voice to the stories. Their figures become an important part of the treasure we call fairy tales, which are destined for generations to cherish and enjoy.

In the Land of Milk & Honey

Through her dolls, Israeli doll artist Edna Dali presents her vision of a more perfect world.

Source: June/July 2004 • DOLL READER, Pages 52-55

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This 17-inch one-of-a-kind African American doll was created out of high-fired clay. She has a black custom-made mohair wig, painted eyes, and hand-painted sculpted shoes. Her costume was made from a variety of colorful silk brocade fabrics.

Early each morning, Edna Dali arrives eager to begin working in her studio in Ra'anana, a beautiful city in the center of Israel 15 miles north of Tel Aviv. This city boasts the largest English­-speaking community in

this nation, excellent schools, cultural offerings, and lush green parks.

But despite the high quality of life, terrorism is never far from anyone's mind. "Routinely we live with terrorist acts and casualties," Edna says. "For me, the creation of m doll art is an escape into a fantasy world, far, far away from the constant threat of terror."

Edna enjoys creating dolls of different ages, sizes, styles, characters, and poses and has sculpted young girls, boys, lady dolls, character dolls, angels, ensemble pieces, and, in particular, brides. In fact, she's at work on a bride right now. "In my view, one of the most important elements in the overall happiness of a person is the ability to form strong family bonds. The bride is a central part of the desire to make a family. She expresses softness, beauty, romance, love, and joy and contributes all of the wonderful possibilities that a family can bring."

Born and educated in Israel, Edna studied social work and criminology before marrying. Then she and her growing family moved to Nottingham, England. While her husband, Avi, represented an Israeli company, she immersed herself in British culture, history, and art. She learned about the monarchy and Victorian embroidery and woodcraft. When the family moved to Boston, Edna took sculpting and doll-making courses, where she met a number of prominent doll artists. She became fascinated with the art of the doll and created her first one in 1981.

An ensemble piece, this bride with two bridesmaids and a best man are wax over porcelain one-of-a-kind figures. The bride stands 29 inches tall, and the attendants are each 12 inches. The dolls have intricate pe­riod costumes made out of antique materials, and all have custom-made mohair wigs and crystal glass eyes.

"I still have the first doll that I created out of Fimo proudly exhibited in my home," Edna says. "While I didn't give her a wig, and her hands and legs are rather rough, she has always had her own special beauty and a unique place in my heart."

After Boston, the family returned to Israel, where Edna has been creating dolls for the past 23 years. She works in a wide variety of media, including Fimo, Sculpey, porcelain, wax over porcelain, and resin. She has experimented with Washi, the traditional Japanese paper used for high-quality art pieces white clay, high-fired clay, and delicate metal net. Some of her dolls have blown glass eyes and others painted eyes. Wig vary in design and appearance; some she creates using mohair strips or by in­­­terweaving strands of mohair or human hair into a fine net cap.

She designs all the clothing, acces­sories, and even the shoes, but only after she studies history books and literature, museums and art galleries, vintage fashion magazines, and period movies. Then she combs flea markets the world over for fine vintage fabrics and lace. "All of the materials I use in my costuming must symbolize and present the style of the period I am trying to visualize," she says. Then she supervises an accomplished staff of dressmakers who do the needlework.

This one-of-a-kind bride, 25 inches, was made from wax over porcelain. She has a custom-made human-hair wig and wears an elaborate gown made from vintage material, lace, and flowers and, in her hair, an antique wax flower crown.

"Every doll has its own concept," she explains, "and the actual sculpting begins when I identify what I want to express. "Never afraid to sculpt in different media or to create using new methods, she continues to evolve her work. "Today I think that the appearance of the final creation, whether it is traditional or avant-garde, provokes an important thought process in the viewer," she says.

In many of Edna's works, you see dolls "dreamy and in love," and you feel their warmth, harmony, and serenity. Some of her most recent work, however, is intended to impart a message and "is new and daring in our traditional doll market." Creating an intriguing doll as well as a compelling piece of art is her goal.

Escape - Dressed in or­ganza embellished with beads, this 24-inch figure has crystal glass eyes, custom-made brown human-hair wig, and holds a papier-miche mask.

"Last year I made a doll called Escape, which illustrates through my eyes the difficult times that we are expe­riencing in our region," Edna says. "My doll Mask Seller is a piece that communicates the desire we often feel to change our identity." Her doll Love stands with her hands tied behind her back, expressing conflicting emotions. Whether she's creating a bride doll like the one she's at work on right now or a more avant-garde piece, Edna fuses her exceptional sculpting technique with the cerebral, the visual, and the emotional, resulting in dolls that are sought after and unique.

"Fashion, people and events of the past centuries have provided me with rich sources of inspiration," Edna says. "I dedicate my artwork to memories of fleeting decades, and I collect beautiful bits and pieces of the past with which to embellish my dolls."

All-Bisque Dolls With Special Joints by Jan Foulke

Guide to Antique Dolls

LEARNING IDENTIFICATION TIPS AND VALUES

Source: January 2001 • DOLL READER • The Ultimate Authority, Pages 46-50

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Dolls of all-bisque were made as early as the 1860s, but the luxury dolls with wigs and glass eyes date from about 1867 on. These little dolls were a development of the French market, but production soon switched to the German porcelain factories, such as Simon & Halbig, which made these luxuries for the French trade. The J.D. Kestner doll factory also was widely involved in the all-bisque market, with many wonderful designs. Studying the production details of these small dolls proves how amazing they are to have been produced in such small sizes-sleeping eyes with real eyelashes, wonderful wigs, detailed body modeling, special joints and intricate footwear. Of course, the size makes them very popular with collectors who just do not have space for large dolls in their collections. It's always easy to squeeze in another tiny all-bisque doll!

FEATURED DOLL-8'/2-INCH KESTNER WITH SWIVEL WAIST

COMMENTARY: This wonderful doll with a swivel waist is the most rare and desirable of the all-bisques. She is strung with an elastic cord from her neck through the waist joint to a hole between her legs. What a marvel of early innovation in doll construction!

PRICE: No comparables available estimated at more than $10,000; may have minor chips at stringing holes, joints and elsewhere.

Features-Body

• Swivel neck, pegged shoulder joints

• One cupped hand, one open hand

• Swivel waist, molded navel

• Pegged hip joints

• Molded white ribbed stockings with scalloped tops, magenta garters

• Black molded boots with scalloped tops and molded side buttons

Features-Head

• Pale early bisque

• Pouty face with protruding upper lip, closed mouth with white space between lips, multi-stroked eyebrows, painted eyelashes, brown sleeping eyes

• Blonde mohair wig­

6½-INCH KESTNER WITH JOINTED KNEES

COMMENTARY: Another in­novation by J.D. Kestner is this doll with joints at the knees. She is pegged through the hips and again at the knees with the elastic cord coming through the sole of her shoe. She is very desirable to all-bisque collectors, but not as rare as the swivel waist model. She is marked 1 on her head and legs. She can be found with pink, gray, blue or green boots.

PRICE: $4,500, may have minor chips at stringing holes, joints and elsewhere.

FEATURES: Blonde mohair wig, multi-stroked eyebrows, painted eyelashes, gray sleeping eyes, closed pouty mouth witl1 Up shading line, swivel neck, pegged shoulders and hips, jointed knees, molded boots, painted green garters.

5¾-INCH SIMON & HALBIG WITH JOINTED KNEES

COMMENTARY: This is a very rare model by Simon & Halbig; p 1-haps only one other is known to exist with jointed knees. They are strung w:i th ela tic through holes on both sides of the leg parts. Since she has no painted upper eyelashes, she probably had real ones, which have disintegrated. With her cork pate, she was apparently made for the French trade.

PRICE: No comparables available, estimated at $5,500.

FEATURES: Original blonde mohair wig, cork pate, tapered one-stroke eyebrows, brown sleeping eyes, closed mouth, chubby cheeks, pegged shoulders and hips, jointed knees, bare feet with detailed toes.

5-INCH KESTNER 112 GOOGLY WITH JOINTED ELBOWS & KNEES

COMMENTARY: This is a hard-to-find model, very desirable to col­lectors, but not rare. This model comes with either a stiff or swivel neck. Of course, the swivel model is the most desirable. It is marked with the mold number 112 on head and shoulders.

PRICE: Perfect condi­tion, $3,250.

FEATURES: Original mohair wig, tapered one-stroke eyebrows, brown side-glancing sleep eyes, painted eyelashes, watermelon mouth, swivel neck, jointed shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, molded brown one-strap shoes, blue garters.

5½-INCH FRENCH ALL-BISQUE WITH BALL-JOINTED ELBOWS

COMMENTARY: This is a very desirable doll, a fairly rare version with wood ball­jointed elbows. She is marked on her back BTE, a French abbreviation for breveté, which means that the patent is registered. This model may also have jointed knees.

PRICE: Naked, may have minor chips, $4,500; all original clothing and wig, $5,500.

FEATURES: Original wavy blonde mohair wig, thin one-stroke eyebrows, blue glass eyes, painted upper and lower eyelashes, tiny closed mouth, jointed shoulders and elbows, straight hands, pegged hips, long slender legs, bare feet.