EXHIBITION OF DOLLS

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26513, 30 August 1951, Page 2

EXHIBITION OF DOLLS

DISPLAY IN ART GALLERY Dolls of all shapes and sizes and some dressed in the costumes of all nations made a colourful scene in the Art Gallery, Durham street, when a doll show and exhibition was opened yesterday afternoon. The exhibition was opened by Mrs A. K. Warren, who was welcomed by Canon A. H. Acheson.

Mrs Warren said that dolls had always held a fascination for people, and she traced their history. Dolls had been found in the ancient catacombs. In fact, they were in all parts of the world, even among the primitive tribes in Africa.

Several Christchurch firms had contributed to the display, and it was unusual to see a doll dressed in a fur coat and another as a boy skier. A beautiful doll representing Little Miss Muffet looked completely unafraid of the large spider “that sat down beside her,”

Christening gowns, many years old, and trimmed with lace and embroidery, formed beautiful frocks for some of the dolls.

There was a large section of dolls dressed as brides, and they looked traditionally beautiful, carrying bouquets and wearing pearls. The hand-made dolls showed the great skill and imagination of those who had fashioned the characters. An interesting section was the display of peg dolls. In this exhibit the dolls were dressed in the uniforms of girl guides and brownies representing their country. An early Victorian doll about 120 years old and dressed in an afternoon frock of that period made an interesting contrast. The Home Economics Association display showed dolls representing nursery rhymes, and the exhibit of student nurses at the Christchurch Public Hospital depicted dolls dressed as nurses through the ages. A highlight of the exhibition was a collection of dolls of all nations. This display was of dolls from China, Russia, North America, Japan, Algeria, and many other parts of the world, dressed in authentic costumes. The proceeds of tire exhibition are for the building fund of St. Stephen’s Church, Shirley. The exhibition will be open to-day and will close after the prize-giving to-morrow evening. Members of the organising committee were Mr F. H. Law (convener), Mesdames K. Arthur, E. A. McPherson. C. Henwood, A. M. Vile, Osborne, J. Hammersley, G, Woods, Coster, Nicholson, and Miss D. Goodman, who were assisted by other members of the cnurcn.

Results of the competitions were:—• Class I—Knitted: section 1 (A), best fessed girl baby doll (large), Denise Clark; (B), best dressed boy baby doll (large), Leslie Cutriss. Section 2 (A), best dressed girl baby doll (small), Diana Mmtrom. Section 3, best dressed twin baby dolls, Marion Ward. Class 2— Not knitted: section 1, best n 0 1!. , (l ? rg , e) ' Anita Gibbons a ? d 5 PendHeh (equal). Section 2, best dressed doll (small). Miss Townwecb?nJ- „ b ? st dressed twin Baldwin. Class 3R o lde „ best . df e »«ed bride. Gwinneth I! K a S d Brenda Turner (equal), d-xnade doH: best handmade doll, Margaret Stevenson; special Ja, ? e . t G , ou « h - Class 6—Peg; doll: most original, M. Robertson, The HMi es u Mr . s , HaroW Wilson, Mrs Moßy McNab, Miss Gladys Bushell and Miss M. E. Smith.