A decorative doll probably from a collector’s display
The doll has a cloth and composite body with a painted felt face and light brown hair. She is dressed in a pale green nineteenth century decorative style, long dress, with sprig print and metallic lace, white underwear and knitted socks, and holds an artificial bouquet of red and multi flowers.
It is likely that the doll was made by Chad Valley in the 1920s. The company takes its name from the Chad Brook, a small stream located in Harbone, a suburb of Birmingham. Initially founded as a printing works in the early 1800s, the founder Anthony Bunn Johnson and his sons began making games and then toys, and adopted the brand name Chad Valley in the 1860s. The company is still going strong after more than 150 years.
Norah Wellings was a renowned toymaker and artist who worked for Chad Valley from 1919 to 1926, when she left to set up her own toy factory called Victoria Toy Works.
She designed the faces of dolls in similar style. All her dolls are made of cloth such as felt, plush, velvet and cotton with hand-painted faces, and a waterproof coating so they are washable.
This second doll is of similar design with dark brown hair and dressed in a beige print long dress with ribbon trim and a purple underskirt.
The doll belonged to donor’s mother who lived in Thame. Both dolls are on display in Main Gallery