Ming and Mei-Mei dolls by Yolanda Bello

Ming and Mei-Mei dolls are porcelain.

       Ming and Mei-Mei are the second brother and sister dolls paired together and designed by porcelain doll artist, Yolanda Bello, for "The World of Love Collection" sold by Ashton-Drake Galleries in the early 1990s. The text that describes who they are and what they are doing that comes with the certificate of authenticity reads:

"Today is Ming's First Birthday, the day that Oriental legend says will determine his future. On a boy's first birthday, his parents dress him in brightly-colored new clothes, and he wears a special round cap. His mother puts "Ming" (which means "clever" in Chinese) in the middle of a table on which she has placed several objects. The family members watch to see which object "Ming" will reach for first, for that item will determine the boy's future; "Ming's choices are an abacaus (businessman), a shovel (builder), and a paintbrush and palette (artist). Everyone, especially "Ming's" older sister, "Mei-Mei" (pronounced May-May, and meaning "very pretty") is excited to see what the baby will choose. When "Ming" reaches for the paint brush, "Mei-Mei" is delighted, and shyly holds up her hands to her face as she giggles over her brother's choice."

What career will baby Ming choose on his first birthday?

Mei-Mei, Ming's big sister's name means "very pretty."

"It has been my lifelong goal as a doll artist to celebrate all the world's children, and to
introduce collectors to the customs and costumes of other cultures that children share
among themselves. I hope this World of Love collection does that in a special way
that you'll appreciate!" quote by Yolanda Bello

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