When I discovered Frozen Charlotte dolls
I immediately fell in love.
I have been building up my collection for about three years now. All of mine have been dug from the grounds of old doll factories in Thuringia Germany. If a doll was broken or not quite perfect it was discarded and buried in the ground around the doll factory. They are now excavating at the doll factories and resurrecting these beauties. I'm collecting them hoping to give them a new life! I find the imperfections charming, most of mine are broken and quite dirty, to me this just adds to their charm. I absolutely adore the broken dolls, but on occasion I have found "perfect" ones and couldn't resist, I have them set aside with all
I immediately fell in love.
I have been building up my collection for about three years now. All of mine have been dug from the grounds of old doll factories in Thuringia Germany. If a doll was broken or not quite perfect it was discarded and buried in the ground around the doll factory. They are now excavating at the doll factories and resurrecting these beauties. I'm collecting them hoping to give them a new life! I find the imperfections charming, most of mine are broken and quite dirty, to me this just adds to their charm. I absolutely adore the broken dolls, but on occasion I have found "perfect" ones and couldn't resist, I have them set aside with all
my special little things.
Frozen Charlotte dolls were manufactured between 1850-1920 and range in size from under 1" to 18" plus. There was also a boy version made which is distinguished from the Charlotte doll by his boyish hair and called the
Frozen Charlie.
Usually made from porcelain, some have china fronts and unglazed backs making them floatable. The tiny versions were frozen and then placed in cups to cool afternoon tea, while the large versions floated in bath tubs. They were also given as special gifts; a small one would be baked inside a small cake or pudding to surprise a birthday child or guests during the holidays.
The name Frozen Charlotte came from an American Folk Ballad, Fair Charlotte which was attributed to William Lorenzo Carter. The song was inspired by a poem, Young Charlotte written by Seba Smith after he read a true story in the New York Observer...."A young woman...was frozen to death while riding to a ball on Jan 1, 1840."
To me, this tragic story makes these
little beauties even more special!
Click here or on the Frozen Charlotte Story link at the top of my blog to read the poem written by Seba Smith.
Click here or on the Frozen Charlotte Story link at the top of my blog to read the poem written by Seba Smith.
