I wanted to participate in the “Summer Cloche Party” over at A Stroll Through Life, so thought I’d put together a little vingette using my heirloom figurine, “Victoria”, that Mr. CSD bought for me many years ago.
“Victoria” was purchased in the little Danish town of Solvang, CA in 1982. She was hand crafted by Jamalea Corre’ using a technique developed by Italian artists during the 17th century. After years of research, Jamalea was able to replicate their painstaking multi-media processes which require many steps of meticulous hand work and hours of curing time between each step.
I took the glass cloche off so you could see the intricate detailing of the costume, decorative accessories and hand-painted face that makes each figurine a “one of a kind”. I think the detailing is what made me fall in love with them the first time I saw them. They were exquisite! I would just stand and stare at each one in the display case. “Victoria” was one of the first things Mr. CSD purchased for me after we were married and it is one of my most cherished possessions!
I took this “close up” so you could see the detail of the hand painted face. It has a much softer look, but I couldn’t seem to capture it. I love the detail of the hat, purse and pearl necklace.
And look at the detail on the skirt and lace shawl.
Don’t know what the hair is made of, but it too is exquisite.
I mentioned, “Victoria” was purchased in 1982 and I saw more of Jamalea Corre’s work on subsequent visits to Solvang. Then sometime in the 90′s, I noticed that the figurines had changed. Still exquisite workmanship, but the dress colors were more vibrant. I called the company and was told that Jamalea was no longer making the figurines, but had taught her daughter the process and she was making them.
In preparation to write this post, I did a search to see if I could find any information as to whether they were still being produced. If her daughter is still making them, I couldn’t find any information about it. That just makes “Victoria” all the more precious to me!
Also linking to:
- Wow Us Wednesday – Savvy Southern Style
- Time Travel Thursday – Brambleberry Cottage
Your lady figurine is absolutely exquisite. Such a beautiful treasure and so lovely under a cloche. I am so thrilled you joined the party. She is definitely spectacular. Hugs, Marty
Victoria is so lovely!
Sandy,
“Victoria” is truly a work of art…elegantly exquisite! Your “Mr. CSD” is so thoughtful to have made this purchase! Thank you for sharing this treasure with us!
Fondly,
Pat
She is sooo beautiful! Love all the details! Nice display!
Katherine
Thank you! I enjoyed sharing her “story”.
What a beautiful figurine! The detail is fabulous. She makes a lovely part of your sweet vignette.
Thanks for linking to the party. Hope to see you this week.
Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
Pingback: I need help... Re: Corre Dolls
This is so lovely! And it is also about hte only solid info I could find recently on Ms. Corre’ and her ladies. It seems she has retired and the only place to find her dolls now is on the secondary market… mostly eBay.
Sadly, due to some family catastrophies, I am going to have to let MY two ladies go to eBay soon. The easiest way to catch these when they become available from ANY seller is, if you have an ebay account, search for “Corre” and when the page comes up, even if it is “0 results” you can click on “save search” and the system will email you whenever an item that matches that search goes up for bid.
I have Amanda and Rebecca, both from 1985 and ….sigh… never removed from their packing as I was never in a space where I felt it was “safe enough’ to put them out for display. My Mamma used to do that and drive me nuts— saving her ‘good things so nothing happens to them” until they had to be dug out of boxes and drawers at her death. Sigh. I never expected to repeat her pattern, but here it is.
Anyway, I loved the article and it should help me in the next few weeks when I have to list mine.
I’m so sorry to hear that you have to sell your Corre dolls! Thanks for the information about how to find them on Ebay. My mother did the same thing about saving her “good things”. Drove me crazy too as she never got to enjoy them. I try to not do that, but must admit that there are a few things (like the afghan she made for me) that I was always afraid to put out for fear the cats would ruin them.