NORAH WELLINGS
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Liberty of London | Norah Wellings | More Information | Works Cited
Liberty of London | Norah Wellings | More Information | Works Cited
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HISTORY
These are probably the best-known English dolls here in the United States. They were exported in great quantity and were sold on the Cunard & Canada Steam ship lines and also the Pacific Railway Co. Hence the British sailor can be easily found at antique shows.
Norah Wellings worked as a designer for Chad Valley early in her career before starting her own company in 1926, along with her brother Leonard. Her dolls sold all over the world - but especially in those countries who were, or formerly were, in the British Empire.
The dolls were of outstanding quality in construction and fabric and were often given to royalty as gifts. The company received a patent for making felt doll heads with a buckram backing inside. A combination of plastic wood and plaster was used to secure the eyes. She also made dolls with velveteen faces with painted features.
According to Pollocks Dictionary of English Cloth Dolls:
"In Norah Wellings-A Personal Recollection Peggy Nisbet says 'Her dolls were her life, into which she put much of herself, and she felt they were her family. This may be why her own creations seemed to have more character than other not dissimilar dolls produced by larger manufacturers of the same period."
The company made ethnic and fantasy dolls, and their black dolls have wonderful character faces. She made a line of sweet little "Pixie People", which are little fairy-like characters in flower costumes. Norah's doll clothing is always very well detailed.
Norah was named "Dollmaker of the Commonwealth of Nations during WWII. During the war she made many dolls representing branches of the armed service, such as her RAF (Royal Air Force) flyer doll.
The company continued in operation throughout and after WWII. Norah Wellings closed the company in 1960, following the death of her brother.
Norah Wellings worked as a designer for Chad Valley early in her career before starting her own company in 1926, along with her brother Leonard. Her dolls sold all over the world - but especially in those countries who were, or formerly were, in the British Empire.
The dolls were of outstanding quality in construction and fabric and were often given to royalty as gifts. The company received a patent for making felt doll heads with a buckram backing inside. A combination of plastic wood and plaster was used to secure the eyes. She also made dolls with velveteen faces with painted features.
According to Pollocks Dictionary of English Cloth Dolls:
"In Norah Wellings-A Personal Recollection Peggy Nisbet says 'Her dolls were her life, into which she put much of herself, and she felt they were her family. This may be why her own creations seemed to have more character than other not dissimilar dolls produced by larger manufacturers of the same period."
The company made ethnic and fantasy dolls, and their black dolls have wonderful character faces. She made a line of sweet little "Pixie People", which are little fairy-like characters in flower costumes. Norah's doll clothing is always very well detailed.
Norah was named "Dollmaker of the Commonwealth of Nations during WWII. During the war she made many dolls representing branches of the armed service, such as her RAF (Royal Air Force) flyer doll.
The company continued in operation throughout and after WWII. Norah Wellings closed the company in 1960, following the death of her brother.