Dolls and Bears

Greetings from the PurplePatty.com Community! A child with a doll were among the earliest toys found in all civilizations from the most primitive to the most sophisticated. The abundance of antique dolls found today come from the 19th and 20th centuries. However the changing ideals of beauty as defined by the society of the time give us a social history in their modeled shape, expressions, and clothing.

The 17th and 18th centuries created a more adult figure, where the 19th century brought us the child-like doll figure. The 20th century introduced us to the German character dolls and the cute caricature Kewpie and Googly dolls.

A city in Germany, Thuringia was a center for German porcelain and then became involved in doll making. Creating life-like character dolls, with their faces modeled after real people. These are some of the most sought after dolls today.

Least we not forget the introduction of the modern jointed bear in the early 1900s in Germany. A creation by Margarete Steiff. She first modelled her bears on the performing animals at the circus. Many companies tried to imitate her style, but hers are still the most valuable today.

Here's to a day full of Shopping and Smiles!

From your Super Shopper,

Purple Patty