DISPLAYING YOUR DOLLS ~ The way your dolls are displayed is just as important as any of the other factors about the doll (such as colors and fabrics used). Of course the most charming way to display vintage look dolls is in antique doll furniture, but this is not always possible. Below you will find some chairs to help address the difficulty in finding just the right props. Chairs can be used for more than one doll - for instance, one doll may be sitting in the chair, while another one may be standing just next to the back of the chair and another one or two may be sitting on the floor using the chair to lean on. In other words, a single chair can be then the focal point of a whole grouping. You should not have all your dolls sitting in chairs - it would look like a movie theater, and many dolls do not sit well at all (for example, I do not like to seat my Historical Folk Dolls #1,2 or 7 (see above). I will also be adding some new items in early 2007 to help in displaying your dolls. For instance, my new wooden Joel Ellis doll due to the elaborate work in her wooden joints, likes to be seen undressed, and yet she has wonderful clothing and even a special bonnet, so for this doll, I recommend sitting the doll down, say on a shelf, and next to her, displaying her clothing on my new larger doll dress form (dolls 12" - 15") and her bonnet on the hatstand which will also be available. I will also be adding in some new wooden display stands for your standing dolls who need support. For small dolls, look at chairs in the Early American and Hitty Series.

DOLL CHAIRS WITH VINTAGE FINISHES
Since a lot of my dolls are now in a larger size (for almost 20 years I worked on dolls 8" tall or less), I found that I wanted a size antique chair that is not only hard to find, but very expensive, due to their rarity. So I set about reproducing two in my own small collection. The chair on the left is painted a charming red that has been realistically distressed to look old and the chair on the right, which has a woven split seat, is aged wood. Both are 14" tall and are for dolls in the 14" to 20" range. Click on the illustrations for photos.

Red Chair $195 No longer available
14" Ladderback with Arms $250 No longert available
Please note, these chairs may not be included in any discounts.

BASIC LADDERBACK CHAIR (8" TALL) (Shown in middle picture below with ash splint seat.)
I made these a long time back for displaying dolls but they are still good basic display pieces for 9" - 12" dolls and they are available in kit form too. Easy to assemble and paint with all materials and wood parts provided. Seat weaving is traditional rush-style and instructions are included, although there are special ash splint seats available on finished chairs.

Chair Kit Sorry, these kits no longer available
Finished Chair $72.00 Add to Cart

SPECIAL ASH SPLINT SEAT (8") LADDERBACK CHAIR $84.00 Add to Cart

NEW SMALLER LADDERBACK CHAIR (7" TALL) (shown far right below)
Just like the others but with the rush-style seat. Good for 8" dolls such as my new 8" Izannah but will fit up to 10". Finished only. $72.00 Add to Cart

NEW LARGER LADDERBACK CHAIR WITH HEART BACK SLATS (9" TALL) - Shown on far left. This chair was made for my 12" Izannah Collection but is available on its own. The 3 back slats have a heart shape along the top edges and an ash splint seat. Although designed for a 12" doll, it would also work for a slightly larger doll and many smaller sizes - these would look like a child sitting in a real chair, a look I love.
Heart Back Ladderback Chair $112.00 No longer available

From left: 9" Heartback, 8" Ladderback with ash seat and 7" Ladderback with rush-style seat. Note that middle chair also comes with rush-style seat.