Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Do you call that Clean?

The hierarchy of the help.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Antique Dollhouse revisited

 I recently found a box of antique dollhouse furniture, so I rearranged my antique dollhouse.



I left the Schneegas dining room and bedroom furniture in place, but I added the large Schneegas desk and hall stand to the den.
Mother is trying to explain to the maid that the fireplace tongs don't belong in the middle of the dining room table.
The parent's bedroom is cozy. I see they have no bulbs in the light fixture. That must be why they have the oil lamp on the bedside table.
There is a lovely Stevens cast iron table and maker unknown brass fireplace in the upper hall. Hmmm. that must be a picture of Grandma on the table.
The elegant living room with German sofa, wonderful Schneegas table with marble top and a Chinese vase.

The carpet is hand made petitpoint, no old, but very beautiful.
The second bedroom.
 The box of antique furniture contained this child's bed and dresser.


The little boy is an all bisque jointed child made in Germany. I put some hair on him today and all of a sudden he had  a personality. I think he is adorable.

I need to do some work on the upstairs hall and the banister on the stairs. The house came to me with the newel post, banister and upper railing missing. I have no idea what to replace it them with so I am leaving it for now.


I was lucky enough to find a mother cat and a batch of kittens at the antique market a few weeks ago. They are all bisque and made in Germany several decades ago - possibly the 20s or 30s.
 I love the bathroom. Made in the 1920s it is painted wood. The sink is missing its faucets and there is quite a bit of paint loss, but I had been looking for just this set for a while and was delighted to find it. The heater is German, of soft metal and was probably made between the 1029s and 1940s
 Look at that toilet! I love the detail, with the built in toilet paper holder. The shape of the bowl is a hoot, but maybe that's how they looked in the 20s. I don't know, I wasn't there.


The towel rack came with the bedroom behind the bathroom. The bedroom suite has a wonderful German Wardrobe, matching bedside table and bed. All are painted white with gold trim. The chair came with this set, but seems to be a different colour.
 I had to glue the desk chair together, so the blue you see on it are the elastics holding it together while the glue dries. I am not sure what the two men are discussing, but it seems to be serious.

The living room behind the den has a wonderful green velvet arm chair and matching sofa. Possibly German.

 When Mother returns to the dining room she finds the fireplace tongs are still on the table. Where is that maid?













In the kitchen sister is trying to figure out what spot is begging for.

That box of antique furniture also contained the kitchen table with three chairs. The plaster sink and a wonderful matching dresser.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Random rooms in random houses

I have no stories to tell today, so I though I would just share my collection. Below are pictures of random rooms in random houses. There is quite a variety. I love them all! I hope you do too!














Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Who is that lady in yellow?

I found this doll on eBay. I was attracted by her jaunty hat and pretty 30s style dress.

Because of her beautiful yellow dress I am calling her Xanthe.  I thought of naming her Daffodil, but she looks so sophisticated I didn't think she would stand for it.

I thought at first she might be one of the very rare Tynietoy dolls, but upon closer examination I see that she isn't. Though the construction is similar there are also several differences

Her facial features is stitched on while my reference book tells me that Tinytoy dolls have painted features.

Xanthe has a wrapped wire body and a solid head under the soft face fabric, as the Tynietoys are said to have, but my lady has loops for hands much like the Grecon dolls.



Her wire covered feet are fashioned to form a sort of high-heeled shoe, and she can stand on her own, but the Tynietoy dolls had metal feet.

Her felt hat, with it's front brim and back bow, is tipped over one eye. Every golden curl is stitched in place under it. She is wearing a beautifully made dress over a matching slip. The skirt has little pleats over the knees and the bodice is trimmed with lace. Xanthe's little belt has a hook and eye type  of opening.

She came to me from England and I believe Xanthe is going to live with me for a long time. I am quite taken with her.

If anyone knows who made her or where I can find other members of her family please let me know.


Hugs,

Susan