Saturday, December 26, 2009
Old Salem Toy Museum
The Old Salem Toy Museum contains a wide variety of rare, old toys, mostly from the 19th and early 20th century a large collection of antique doll houses. Other toys include dolls, games, cars, trains, airplanes, teddy bears, puppets and toy zoos from Europe and America.
In this Museum you can see third century toys that archaeologists dredged from the Thames River in London—miniature bronze firearms from 1585 to 1610, and a lead die dating back to 225 A.D. You can see toys Moravian children played with in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. You can find a variety of German toys—ships and marbles, games and puzzles, cars and trains. You can see dolls from the seventeenth century through the earliest twentieth century. You can look at teddy bears and puppets, doll houses and toy zoos, and toys made of porcelain, silver or cast iron. There are toys from Germany, Great Britain, Holland, France, Spain, and America. The most recent are early-twentieth-century airplanes and automobiles.
Most of Old Salem’s toys date from the nineteenth century, and we are fortunate in many cases to know who owned and played with these charming treasures. Many of them were imported from Germany, the toy-making capital of the world at that time, but some were made in Moravian homes or by one of the talented local craftsmen. It is important to remember that the toys enjoyed by Moravian children were just a part of a much broader universe of toys with histories dating back centuries. 
It is this larger historical context of toys that the founders of Old Salem’s Toy Museum, Thomas A. Gray and his mother, Anne Pepper Gray, wanted to clearly represent. Tom and Anne have been generous and dedicated supporters of Old Salem for many years. As consummate collectors themselves, they knew that a world-class toy collection could be assembled and that it would have a wide appeal.
After only a few years of intense and purposeful collecting, Tom and Anne had amassed a superb and delightful collection of toys that, along with Old Salem’s toy collection, became the Old Salem Toy Museum, located on South Main Street in the Frank L. Horton Museum Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The Salem Witch Museum brings you back to Salem 1692 for a dramatic overview of the Witch Trials, including stage sets with life-size figures, lighting and a narration.
North German Toy Museum, Soltau
The North German Toy Museum in Soltau originated from a private collection. It was founded in 1984 by Hannelore Ernst.
The museum is located in a listed building which consists of a shop and house in the centre of Soltau. Exhibits from four centuries recall something of the history of toys and culture.Covering an exhibition area of around 600m² and receives 40,000 visitors a year. The North German Toy Museum has been presenting one of the world's most diverse toy collections since 1988. There are also opportunities to play with some of the toys. In this house of dreams, there's a whole miniature world to explore across three floors: teddy bears, carousels, optical toys, magic lanterns, puppet theatres, picture books, games and construction kits, wooden and paper toys; ranging from a historical model railway to a collection of Steiff animals and numerous objects from the nurseries of the 1920s. The main attraction is Dingley Hall, a three metre wide and 2 metre high a huge doll's house that was bought in 2003. Open all year round.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The idea for building it originally came from the Queen's cousin, Princess Marie Louise, who discussed her idea with one of the top architects of the time, Sir Edwin Lutyens at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition of 1921. As a result, the dolls' house has an amazing collection of miniature items that actually work. It even has runing water through its tiny pipes. It was created as a gift to Queen Mary from the people, and to serve as an historical document on how a royal family might have lived during that period in England. It was originally exhibited at the British Empire Exhibition, 1924—1925, and is now on display in Windsor Castle, at Windsor, Berkshire, Englandas a tourist attraction, especially to people with an interest in miniature houses and furniture.
It was made to a scale of 1:12 (one inch to one foot), is over three feet tall, and contains models of products of well-known companies of the time. It is remarkable for its detail and the detail of the objects within it, many of which are 1/12 replicas of items in Windsor Castle. These were either made by the companies themselves, or by specialist modelmakers, such as Twining Models of Northampton, England. The carpets, curtains and furnishings are all copies of the real thing, and even the light fittings are working. The bathrooms are fully plumbed; that includes a flushable toilet and miniature lavatory paper.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Boy Day Festival In Japan
A display for Boys' Day in Japan, renamed Children's Day about 60 years ago but still often celebrated mostly for boys.This day is Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on 5 May. It was designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948. It is the part of the golden week. Children's Day in Japan, the day to "stress the importance of respecting the character of children and promoting their health and happiness. It is also the day for children to express their gratitude for the love and care they receive from their parents." Japanese families celebrate Tango-no-Sekku, the Boys' Festival, within the Children's festival.
Until recently, Tango no Sekku was known as Boys' Day (also known as Feast of Banners) while Girls' Day (Hinamatsuri) was celebrated on March 3. In 1948, the government decreed this day to be a national holiday to celebrate the happiness of all children and to express gratitude toward mothers. It was renamed Kodomo no Hi.
Before this day, families raise the carp-shaped Koi-Nobori flags. Big, brightly colored windsock-like banners shaped like carp and called Koi-Nobori are hung outside. The carp has become the symbol of the Boys' Festival. A banner is flown for each son in the family, a very large one for the eldest, the others ranging down in size. The banners are flown to symbolize strength, perseverance, and the courage and ability to attain high goals. Carp are seen to be the most spirited of fish, full of energy and power, able to fight their way up swift streams and cascades. The Japanese believe "The carp is an appropriate symbol to encourage manliness and the overcoming of life's difficulties leading to consequent success."
Mochi rice cakes wrapped in kashiwa (oak) leaves — kashiwa-mochi (just like regular mochi, but is also filled with red beans jam) and chimaki (a kind of "sweet rice paste," wrapped in an iris or bamboo leaf) — are traditionally served on this day.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Hinamatsuri
Hinamatsuri doll festival is held on March 3rd every year. It is also called girls fastival. "Hina" means, Princess, and "Matsuri" means, festival. Hina matsuri is a girl's festival (also called 'dolls festival'). They can be made of many materials but the classic hina doll has a pyramidal body. A full set comprises at least 15 dolls, representing specific characters, with many accessories.
In that day families prey for the happiness and prosperity of their girls. Families who has daughter display special doll for this festival and dedicate them to Peach blossom Hinamatsuri is also called Momo no Sekku meaning Peach Festival. In Japan Peach blossom is a symbol for happy marriage because of the way and time the tree blooms.
The history of this festival is very long. It is not known exactly when it began, but it was mentioned in “The Tale of Genji” about 100 year ago. At that time, people prayed to be healthy and to have fortune at the beginning of spring.
A larger doll shrine representing the Japanese royal court of the Heian period. On the top step, there is an empress and an emperor and on the other steps are people the noble classes. On the second step there are three ladies holding Japanese rice cakes. On the third step there are five musicians holding Japanese traditional instruments. Two ministers may be displayed on the fourth step. On the fifth step , between the plants, holds three helpers or samurai as the protectors of the emperor and empress. On the sixth and seventh step a variety of miniature furniture, tools, carriages are displayed.
The history of this festival is very long. It is not known exactly when it began, but it was mentioned in “The Tale of Genji” about 100 year ago. At that time, people prayed to be healthy and to have fortune at the beginning of spring.
A larger doll shrine representing the Japanese royal court of the Heian period. On the top step, there is an empress and an emperor and on the other steps are people the noble classes. On the second step there are three ladies holding Japanese rice cakes. On the third step there are five musicians holding Japanese traditional instruments. Two ministers may be displayed on the fourth step. On the fifth step , between the plants, holds three helpers or samurai as the protectors of the emperor and empress. On the sixth and seventh step a variety of miniature furniture, tools, carriages are displayed.
These dolls are not for played with but are ceremonial dolls. During festival time, they are display for a few days in the best room of the house and after March 3, they are carefully boxed and put away until the next year. Parent put the doll away as soon as possible because there is a tradition that says if they don’t, their girls will not able to marry or will be late to marry.
There are some special foods like sweet snack called “Hina Arare” (grilled piece of rice), “Hisimochi” (diamond shaped rice cake with pink, green, and white layers) and place in front of hina dolls.
There are some special foods like sweet snack called “Hina Arare” (grilled piece of rice), “Hisimochi” (diamond shaped rice cake with pink, green, and white layers) and place in front of hina dolls.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
The Immigration Act of 1924 prohibited East Asians from immigrating to the United States, 
which increased tension between the US and Japan. Dr. Sidney Gulick was a former missionary who spent time in Japan between 1888 and 1913. He was familiar with how important dolls are in Japanese culture, and to promote goodwill between the countries he initiated a program to send dolls from the US to children in Japan.
In 1927, the first project was to organize the sending of 12,739 friendship dolls, also known as American blue-eyed dolls to Japan. These dolls arrived in time for Hinamatsuri, the annual Japanese doll festival.
After receiving almost 13,000 dolls as gifts from American children in early 1927, Japan wanted to do something special to express their thanks. Eiichi Shibusawa, a Japanese businessman and educator, organized the collection of money from children throughout Japan to pay for the making of 58 special dolls to be sent to America.
Sadly, just 14 short years after America received the Japanese Friendship Dolls, Japan and the US were fighting each other in World War II. During the war, many of the Friendship Dolls were stored away, sold, or lost.
which increased tension between the US and Japan. Dr. Sidney Gulick was a former missionary who spent time in Japan between 1888 and 1913. He was familiar with how important dolls are in Japanese culture, and to promote goodwill between the countries he initiated a program to send dolls from the US to children in Japan.In 1927, the first project was to organize the sending of 12,739 friendship dolls, also known as American blue-eyed dolls to Japan. These dolls arrived in time for Hinamatsuri, the annual Japanese doll festival.
After receiving almost 13,000 dolls as gifts from American children in early 1927, Japan wanted to do something special to express their thanks. Eiichi Shibusawa, a Japanese businessman and educator, organized the collection of money from children throughout Japan to pay for the making of 58 special dolls to be sent to America.
Sadly, just 14 short years after America received the Japanese Friendship Dolls, Japan and the US were fighting each other in World War II. During the war, many of the Friendship Dolls were stored away, sold, or lost.
saurce by www.wikipedia.com
Japanese modern era dolls
Silk-skinned or "mask-face" dolls became a popular craft in Japan in the 1920s and 1930s, allowing the individual to design elaborate kimono for dolls representing women of various periods of Japanese history, particularly the Edo period. Dolls of this type continued to be made and were a popular item for servicemen and tourists to bring back after World War II, though they also might choose dolls representing similar subjects made with gofun faces. Kuroda bushi, Hakata ningyō Bisque dolls are made of fired clay. Fukuoka is a traditional center of the manufacture of bisque dolls, and Hakata ningyō are famous throughout Japan.Each Japanese doll was equipped with a variety of accessories, including lacquer chests, a silk parasols, two pedestal lanterns, passports, steamship tickets, and goodwill letters.When the 58 Japanese Friendship Dolls arrived in the US, they were greeted warmly and went on a tour of the country for several months before being distributed to museums in the various states.
Edo Dolls
During the Edo period (about 1603-1867), when Japan was closed to most trade, there developed both fine dollmakers and a market of wealthy individuals who would pay for the most beautiful doll sets for display in their homes or as valuable gifts. Sets of dolls came to include larger and more elaborate figures, and more of them. The competitive trade was eventually regulated by government, meaning that doll makers could be arrested or banished for breaking laws on materials and height.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Japanese Doll
There are various types of Japanese dolls, some representing children and babies, some the imperial court, warriors and heroes, fairy-tale characters, gods and (rarely) demons, and also people of the daily life of Japanese cities. Dolls have been manufactured since the earlydays of Japanes culture. Today, there ezist various types of Japan dolls. Many have a long tradition and are still made today, for household shrines, for formal gift-giving, or for festival celebrations such as Hinamatsuri, the doll festival, or Kodomo no Hi, Children's Day. Japanese tradition prescribes the doll hold fans, flowers, ornaments or other Japanese objects. Each doll usually represents a Japanese folk tale or a piece of history. Some are manufactured as a local craft, to be purchased by pilgrims as a souvenir of a temple visit or some other trip.
In the early eleventh century, around the peak of the Heian period, several types of dolls had already been defined, as known from Lady Murasaki's novel The Tale of Genji. Girls played with dolls and doll houses; women made protective dolls for their children or grandchildren; dolls were used in religious ceremonies, taking on the sins of a person whom they had touched
source by http://www.wikipedia.com/
Monday, August 24, 2009
A doll is an object that represents a baby or other human being. Dolls have been around since the dawn of human civilization, and have been fashioned from a vast array of materials, ranging from stone, clay, wood, bone, cloth and paper, to porcelain, china, rubber and plastic.
A porcelain doll from the Czech Republic
While dolls have traditionally been toys for children.In ancient times, dolls were used as representations of a deity, and played a central role in religious ceremonies.
Dolls are used by health professionals, medical schools and social workers to train doctors and nurses in various health procedures.
History
Dolls have been a part of humankind since prehistoric times. Used to depict religious figures or used as playthings, early dolls were probably made from primitive materials such as clay, fur, or wood. No dolls have survived from prehistoric times, although a fragment of an alabaster doll with movable arms from the Babylonian period was recovered.
Dolls were also buried in Greek and Roman children's graves. Girls from Greece and Rome dedicated their wooden dolls to goddesses after they were too "grown-up" to play with dolls.
Most ancient dolls that were found in children's tombs were very simple creations, often made from such materials as clay, rags, wood, or bone. Some of the more unique dolls were made with ivory or wax. The main goal was to make the doll as "lifelike" as possible. That ideal lead to the creation of dolls with movable limbs and removable garments, dating back to 600 B.C.
In addition to wooden dolls, wax dolls were popular in the 17th and 18th centuries. Munich was a major manufacturing center for wax dolls. One of the first dolls that portrayed a baby was made in England from wax at the beginning of the 19th century.
Porcelain became popular at the beginning of the 19th century. Porcelain is made by firing special clays in a kiln at more than 2372 degrees Fahrenheit.The French "bebe" was popular in the 1880s, and it has become a highly sought after doll today. French dolls were unrivaled in their artistry, German bisque dolls became quite popular because they were not as expensive. Kammer & Reinhardt introduced a bisque character doll in the 1900s, starting a trend of creating realistic dolls.
After World War II, doll makers experimented with plastics. Hard plastic dolls were manufactured in the 1940s. They resembled composition dolls, but they were much more durable. Other materials used in doll manufacturing included rubber, foam rubber, and vinyl in the 1950s and 1960s. Vinyl changed doll making, allowing doll makers to root hair into the head, rather than using wigs or painting the hair. Although most dolls are now mass-manufactured using these modern materials, many modern doll makers are using the traditional materials of the past to make collectible dolls
source by www.ctdollartists.com
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