"Contessa" by Edna Hibel

Left, "Contessa" doll NIB by Effanbee Dolls. Center "Contessa" breaths the air for the
first time. Right details of her facial features: she has blue painted eyes, a blond rooted
wig, subtle pink coloring, a dimple in her chin and chubby cheeks.

        Artist, Edna Hibel, was born in 1917. She grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. She  attended the Boston Museum of Fine Art from 1935-39 and was accomplished in a wide variety of media: watercolor, print making and oil painting, in addition to designing dolls for little ones. Edna Hibel painted everyday in her studio at home until she reached the ripe old age of 93. She travelled extensively with her husband and achieved a wide audience of admirers/supporters of her art until she died in 2014. You can read more about her life at her studio.

• Edna Hibel Studio

Left, the front of the Contessa doll's tag. Right the back fo the tag.

       Contessa doll tag reads, "Edna Hibel is a world renowned artist, whose distinctive style and use of color has brought her to the forefront of her profession. She has been drawing, painting and creating outstanding art for many years. Her magnificent renderings of children's themes have been popularized in limited edition plates, and other collectibles, which have been marketed around the world. 

       Most recently Edna Hibel was selected as the Collectible Artist of the Year for 1984 by the Academy of Collectible Arts. This enormously talented artist also received a citation from Pope Paul II for her humanitarianism in art. Her works have been included in the permanent collections of many museums.

       Our collectible renditions have been inspired by Edna's original works and express her celebration of life, the essence of her art. we are confident that doll collectors everywhere will embrace these beautiful Hibel creations and that this will be the start of a collection that will endure for years to come." Effanbee

Left, "Contessa" from the back side. Right this doll stands 10 1/2" tall She has brown
fish net stockings, black velveteen shoes with snap closures, both muslin pantaloons
 and a slip trimmed with a simple lace, a dress and head scarf in matching floral
print with elaborate lace and ribbon detailing. 

Left, you can see the flaw left in the sides of the head by the manufacturers punctures
used to attach the head scarf to keep it in place in the package. Right, it's such a shame
 that the puncture on left side of the doll's head did not pierce closer to her ear lobe,
then it might have been interpreted as an intentional ear piercing by a consumer
instead of a flaw.

• See Contessa's friend, "Flower Girl of Brittany" at Penniless Caucasian Rubbish

Left, overall I love this doll's face mold she has a character all her own. Right,
a close-up look at her 'shaggy' hair cut; it suits her somehow.

  Return to the Doll Guide Index Page