Wonderful Woodens

Wonderful Woodens, From the Robyn Katz Collection, With Michael Canadas. Michael joins esteemed early doll collector Robyn Katz to explore a small sampling of her collection of English woodens with a focus on facial styles and “family resemblance.” We meet a William and Mary Wooden (circa late 17th-early 18th century) and discuss her eyes, facial shape and coloration (which can change over time due to touch-ups and relacquering), flat chest, “oversized” hands, painted legs (representing stockings) carving techniques, use of gesso, and the lightness of her wooden hands. Next, we meet two Georgian Wooden girls and discuss the “Georgian face” which features pupilless black eyes, high ears, high foreheads, and plump cheeks (to replicate the practice of the era of cheeks being packed with rags.) Details of the original bodies (including linen upper arms and wooden lower arms) and whitewashed legs (likely made of pine), are explored. Last, but not least we meet an early English wooden who has been redressed in a slightly later era in a striped silk sacque back gown (she retains her original stays and underpinnings) and features fabulous jointed wooden arms and shapely legs. Michael concludes by discussing a need for research into English Woodens including cataloguing faces by style or “family” and possibly collecting wood samples to learn more about these incredible dolls.