Beloved heroines and bustling busybodies alike appear in primitive doll form throughout folk art fairs, online shops, and other handmade retails. Crafted by devoted fans and diehard romantics, these creations are one-of-a-kind despite their kinship to the classic novels.
From animal personification of the characters to era-inspired crafts, the beauty and grace of the Austen novels are brought to life in loving interpretations that defy convention with creativity and tongue-in-cheek concepts.
Pride and Prejudice Rules the Roost
Still the favorite for Austen fans and primitive artists alike, Pride and Prejudice stands out for tribute amongst dollmakers. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, considered one of of Austen's most charming heroines, appears in doll form as a graceful heroine in simple patterns and homespun prints.
Miss Bennet, however, is not alone in her reception. Primitive artist Stacy Meade, known as The Goode Wife of Washington County, has adapted a variety of Austen characters into unique dolls, many depicted in animal form. Mrs. Bennet becomes a white hen in old-fashioned dress, while as a literally "doe-eyed" Marianne Dashwood appears in an empire-waisted gown.
Romantic Fashions
The fashions of Austen's Romantic period lend themselves perfectly to primitive patterns and hand-sewn garments. Ruffled caps, wide aprons, and scarlet cloaks accompany the painted button boots and simple long-sleeved gowns often seen in folk art dolls, especially those inspired by New England and colonial themes.
Austen's career period also lends itself to mixed media creations, wood cuts, and paper crafts as well. Christmas ornaments inspired by the elegant ballgowns and handmade paper dolls often gravitate towards the graceful style of Austen's heroines. Martha Stewart Living's "Homemade Holidays" even featured a pattern for clothespin dolls dressed in regency attire, complete with a miniature Jane Austen in lace.
Traditional Dolls
Dolls patterned after the toys of Jane Austen's period also appear in the primitives and folk art markets, with a twist of her literary genius included in the creations. Artists on Etsy and eBay debut unique regency-style dolls made from modern materials, but using the same guidelines as dollmakers of old. Clay or paper-mache limbs and faces, cloth bodies of ticking or muslin, all dressed in elegant attire made by hand.
Many creations derive their names directly from the heroine's novels; others are simply "inspired" creations directed towards the market of regency-loving readers courtesy of Jane.
As the popularity of Jane Austen's novels grows anew, more tributes to her work will appear in folk art and primitive creations as dollmakers pay tribute to her genius and its colorful characters.
Sarah Briggs - For the last two years, I have designed primitive dolls and folk art sculptures (such as Edwin Drood and the Ghost of Marley) for Cordwood ...
Join the Conversation