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Where to find Nancy Lee's dolls . . . 402.274.3040 phone or nancylee@nancyleemoran.com
1920, New York City
A True Story
A Tribute to Christine's Mother, Dot
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Photographs are copyrighted by Chiditta, shared here with her kind permission.
~ Text written by Nancy Lee from information supplied by Christine, Marie, and Cecilia ~
A Collaboration of Four Artists, from Canada and USA (California, Maryland, and Nebraska)
Graphic design, editing and website coding by Nancy Lee Moran of USA
New Web Page 6/14/10
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1920s reference photo |
Repainted, Redressed Doll
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1920s reference photo |
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Memories shared by my patron about her mother, Dorothy |
As a child, Dorothy (Dot) loved to travel the subways and the "EL" (elevated trains) by herself at the age of seven. It was safe to do so in 1928 for a nickel a day. She could ride all the way from the Bronx to Coney Island and back. She loved the rides and the thrill of being by herself, a grown up girl! She also loved the Cyclone Roller Coaster at Coney Island and Steeple Chase Park in its heyday. She spent many summers at a family-owned farm in Connecticut.
I remember my mother's eyes being as dark as the delft blue in pottery. Which reminds me that, as we are Dutch by heritage, Mom often dressed us in oranges, the Dutch color for William of Orange, and especially on St. Patrick's Day! I remember I was usually mortified to be wearing orange to school on St Patrick's Day. I used to ask Mom why I couldn't wear green like everyone else for St. Patrick's Day (all the kids did whether they were Irish or not). She told me that I was not Irish but Dutch and that my color was orange.
As an only child, Dot was blessed with many pretty dresses. |
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Time to Walk My Baby |
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The wicker buggy was commissioned and created from a 1910 photograph that Cecilia sent to Marie to duplicate. Marie Terrones of Wickerville (Wickerville Miniature Wicker Furnitures for Dollhouses) is the designer of the exquisite hooded buggy. Numbered and dated, it is competely handmade of clothcover wire (wire covered with fabric) and wax thread. Such patience and artistry! Marie upholstered it with white baby-corduroy and made a matching round pillow. For almost thirty years, Marie has created dollhouse furnishings such as carriages (prams), baby cribs, settee sofas, parasols, and chairs.
Marie's email address is: wickerville1@gmail.com
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New York City . . . What a big and wondrous place to grow up during the 1920s! |
Costume and Photos of Doll are copyrighted to Chiditta (Cecilia), who kindly agreed to work with me on this complex commission.
Here is a link to Chiditta on eBay
Her email in Canada is: race2@sympatico.ca |
When reading the clothing descriptions, keep in mind that this doll, Riley Kish, is only 7.5 inches tall. Chiditta, the seamstress, succeeded with brilliance.
The dress is sewn of silk-satin, a delicate fabric with an exquisite sheen, and is smocked. Dorothy wears matching period-appropriate drawers (bloomers, knickers) and a matching slip of vintage Swiss batiste, accented with miniature antique Valenciennes lace. Her cloche (hat) matches the dress. If reversed, the cloche then matches the gray wool coat.
The tiny coat: my goodness, what a challenge! The gray coat is lined with the same silk satin as the dress and is belted in the back with two tiny pockets. The wool is beautiful and lightweight, so perfect for this little one. For the sweater, Cecilia used bamboo yarn and knitted with the tiniest of needles in a lacy pattern to add softness and femininity to Dorothy's luxurious satin dress.
Cecilia asked Jenna of Rasbubby Hill to make the baby doll in the buggy. Cecilia dressed the baby to match the yarn sweater that Dorothy wears. The dolly has a tiny cap, dress, undies and blanket. When Christine received Jenna's baby, she found the baby to be "sunny, funny and delightful. Her name is now Jenna so that I will always remember the artist," Christine wrote to me.
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In the 1920s
Cloche (Flapper) hats are much in fashion.
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Time to put on my coat and take Baby home.
September afternoons get chilly sometimes. |
To see the story of Dorothy's daughter Nan, click the photo.
a 1960s childhood
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My patron wrote to me as follows, (included here with her kind permission):
Little Dot is perfection. I held her to the afternoon light and her skin tones, eyes and lips are just too sweet, too lovely, and so much my mother. It is difficult to believe that you could make this happen out of black and white photos and conversation. Against the cream colored clothing, she is sunshine. Helen Kish provided a near perfect sculpt!
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Nancy Lee Moran's POLICY TO SHOW RESPECT FOR ROBERT TONNER, HELEN KISH & other doll creators is as follows:
The dolls I repaint were factory-artisan painted or were blank mannequins. I am NOT affiliated with any doll company, creator or manufacturer.
Please send your questions and requests to Nancy at nancylee@nancyleemoran.com
or by phone: 402-274-3040 Central Time
All rights reserved. All art and photos on the site are protected by copyright © law.
Each may only be reproduced with written permission of the artist. Site page design copyrighted © by Nancy Lee Moran.
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