Lenci doll, Turkish woman, Elena "Lenci" Scavini

Artwork Overview

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Elena "Lenci" Scavini, artist
Lenci doll, Turkish woman, early 1900s
Where object was made: Italy
Material/technique: wool felt; molding
Credit line: Gift from the Rosemary Ketcham Collection
Accession number: 0000.2612
Not on display
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Label texts

Archive Label date unknown:
During World War I, while her husband was away fighting, Elena Scavini ("Lenci") lost her only child. In order to keep busy and earn money, Elena began to make dolls for sale, mostly dolls depicting children. "Lenci" was Enrico Scavini’s pet name for his wife, Elena, and became the trademark for the dolls. Cloth was the principal product of Turin, Italy, so local cloth, especially woolen felts that could be molded, was used for the dolls. Features were painted. A 1923 advertisement said that these dolls were popular with children from ages 5 to 105. Lenci dolls are still being made.

Exhibitions

exhibit (dolls)
1979–1980