Recently Tagged with "Wood"

If you like/collect Hello Kitty,
check out the stuff i have posted
i used to be a collector
and am trying to get rid of as much stuff as possible
so keep checking in with me for cool stuff!

right now i am selling
a cute wall plaque, a desk clock, and a sliding puzzle keychain

I have a mystery on my hands. I know next to nothing about doll-collecting, but I saw a beauty pageant doll at an estate sale. I thought she might be an early 1960s Miss America, so I bought her as a gift for my mom--she did pageants back in her heyday. When I very carefully got her home (she's close to 2' tall), upon closer inspection I concluded that I did not have a Miss America, but someone much more exotic. You can see her on eBay listing 220416203335.

I remembered that the son running his parents' estate sale had told me that his family had lived for many years in Burma (I liked a teak chair they had brought back to the states with them). So with this clue, I started researching my "Miss Burma." I went to eBay, doll websites, beauty queen sites and Asian doll collector sites, and even websites for all things Burma (now Myanmar), but I could find nothing like her out there, not even close.

Forgive me for not knowing the proper terms, but I will describe her the best I can. I didn't find a doll makers mark or artist's signature. I believe her clothes must be sewn on, and I didn't dare try to take them off. What I can tell you is that her torso feels solid like wood, which would be typical of the very old doll-making tradition of that region. Her arms and legs feels softer, like stuffed cloth. If you look at the pictures you'll see that her stuffed-cloth fingers are separated and very delicate. They remind me of the beautiful Burmese and Thai marionettes and puppets I found in my research. I do not believe she is ball-jointed however. I had assumed her face is plastic, but I was astonished to discover that her skin is actually some type of very fine cloth or netting. Her face looks to be handpainted, with individually fringed eyelashes attached. Her wig (real hair?) I believe is glued on as well. "Miss Burma" is mounted to a 5 1/2" x 7 1/2" wooden stand. She is 23 1/2" tall without the stand, and over 24 1/2" tall with the stand.

What I mistook for a pageant gown is actually a very beautiful formal Asian-style silver foil/lame dress, with two side slits up to the waist, featuring Oriental neckline. Underneath she is wearing finely woven white pants, with Asian slippers. The slippers have silver string interwoven to coordinate with the dress. She is holding white lilies wrapped in a very fine muslin or organza, which is long enough to serve as a train of sorts, or a wrap to wear over her shoulder. "Miss Burma" is crowned with a rhinestone tiara (missing one stone, but can be replaced). She also wears a beautiful rhinestone necklace and earrings.

I do not believe this lovely doll was ever a toy--she is in amazing condition. There is some discoloration on the petals of her bouquet, the tips of the fingers of her free hand, as well as some age spots on her pants, but those are mainly hidden by the silver dress. I've tried my best to show these areas in the photographs, but Ansel Adams I am not. As for age, I would guess from the style early 1960s. In my research I found that until 2005, there had not been a "Miss Burma" pageant held since the coup de tait "regime change" in 1962. Another piece of our puzzle???

If anyone can help me identify her, or even steer me in the right direction, I would be grateful. Many thanks!

April-- comfortsforu

Hello, I hope someone can help me or point me in the right direction. I have three Japanese Wood Block prints and I am trying to find out more information about them. I have posted two pictures - one of the three prints and one of the signature. Does anyone know anything about these or can you tell me where I can find out information. Thanks so much for any help.
PS: do not be afraid to click on these links. This is the website Tiny Pics, which Ebay suggest using for posting pictures. It is safe. doc2mary

]http://i42.tinypic.com/oj0coy.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/2wmkp45.jpg

Are there any woodturners here?

can anyone share with me how difficult a job to replace wood bed panels...is this something a novice can accomplish?

Molly the Flying Cow mobile - auction ending soon...last 4 hours

Today is new Peter the Flying Pig in my toy store FLYING ZOO TOYS.
You see...pigs can really fly :-)

I'm just getting to know this market. Please post if you want to discuss makers, players, buyers, sellers, woods, keys, technique, etc. and how they relate to our wonderful instrument.

chrisoravec