Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Doll |
Date |
1985 |
Description |
A porcelain baby doll wearing a white christening gown. The body of the doll is fabric with stuffing, while the head, feet and hands are porcelain. |
History |
This doll was handmade in 1985 by the donor's mother, Delamary "Mary" Wilkinson (née Barker) of Erindale, who fashioned the doll after the donor as a baby. The christening gown was originally worn by the donor before adorning the doll. Mary Wilkinson crafted many ceramic doll at her home in Erindale between 1978 and 1991. Made from a mould, home-fired in a kiln, and hand-painted, Mary created dozens of dolls, many of which she gave away as gifts. Each doll took many hours to complete, and her work area lovingly occupied large portions of her home during the creative process. The dolls served as mementoes of her life. Some depict her children, while others recall her time teaching and nursing among Indigenous peoples in Northern Ontario and Quebec. Still others represent cherished childhood memories, such as reading Anne of Green Gables. In addition to doll making, Delamary also painted prolifically in both oil and watercolour, and she was skilled in quilting and stitching. |
References |
"History of Porcelain Dolls." History of Dolls. http://www.historyofdolls.com/doll-history/history-of-porcelain-dolls/. |
People |
Barker, Delamary |
Search Terms |
Erindale |