Wooden peg dolls from Poland

       These custom painted and dressed character dolls are made of wood and referred to as Jolie Dolls. (In Polish this means simply beautiful!) They were made in Poland from 1950 - 1970. Some of them are dressed as story book characters like Pinocchio or Little Red Riding Hood. However, most of them are dressed in everyday attire once popular among very young Polish children. 

A handful of little wooden peg dolls made in Poland. I have more but they must be repaired.

       The dolls were dressed by individual cottage employees and this is why information about them is difficult to investigate. The intent was to sell the dolls as souvenirs to tourists...

This particular doll is much larger than the standard 7"; she is 9" tall!

       The quality of Jolie dolls far exceeds other travel dolls from Europe! This is because their parts are made from durable wood. No doubt the crafters took into consideration the desires of little folk to play with the dolls.

Left, a more matronly looking doll with a highlander. Center, a doll dressed in a sailor suit. 
Right, most of these dolls are little girl dolls are dressed in popular fashions of 1950s.

       The vast majority of these small articulate dolls are crafted with blond locks and painted blue eyes, so if you should happen on one with dark hair or eyes, it is rare. Another identifying feature of the Polish dolls are their large red shoes. Some dolls do have brown shoes, usually these are boys. Small felt hats are also common features but few of these still have the feather that was once glued to the hat.

This doll has yellow braids and an "A" line dress with a modern print.

       More common features of the Jolie Dolls, are their 'half ball fists,' side glancing eyes, thin line brows, pin-pricked nostril and pouty red rosebud shaped lips.

Above is the standard looking Pinocchio doll with a long nose that grows when he lies.

        The 'Pinocchio' version most frequently has black shoes, a three dimensional, pointed, wooden nose and wears overalls, plus a pointed tip stocking cap. He usually sports a wide mouthed smile as well.

This is my favorite costume I think because of the random polka-dot pattern...

       Sometimes these wooden dolls are referred to as Gromada dolls which means: group or assembly or gathering in reference to a small village of people. They average approximately seven inches tall and have four points of articulation at shoulders and thighs only.

Read More About Peg Dolls from Poland:

• Collecting character wooden Polish dolls by Anna Q's Attic

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