![A Timeless Doll Hospital banner [includes pic of owner, Sheila Callen, company name and logo, and pic of a broken doll merging into its repaired state.]](../../images/TDH_header.jpg)
After 10 years of restoring and repairing dolls, I can say that 75% of my clients, having an emotional attachment to a doll, want it restored to its original like-new condition. The remainder are primarily interested in its monetary and historical value. Regardless of why you are considering restoration, here are 10 definitions that will help you understand your options when you contact A Timeless Doll Hospital.
The act of putting a doll in working order or to sound condition after damage or injury by replacing a part, reconstructing a part, or bonding broken parts.
Examples: restringing; replacing a missing eye; sculpting a missing finger; gluing broken porcelain parts
The act of returning a doll or part of a doll to its original condition with close attention to authenticity and may involve repair.
Examples: cleaning, untangling, and restyling matted wigs; replacing an irrevocably damaged mohair wig with a similar, as close to the original, new mohair wig; cleaning dirty costumes; re-painting worn or damaged facial details; gluing, filling, sanding and re-painting cracks
Treating your doll to halt or slow an adverse condition from progressing.
Examples: cracks; crazing; tearing
The act of keeping your doll safe, keeping it from injury, destruction, or decay. (See our article "10 Steps to Preserve Your Doll")
Preservation of all documentation related to the history of your doll, including: original sales slip, ownership history, photographs, restoration and repair invoices, replaced original parts and accessories, appraisals, etc.
The careful guarding of your doll that involves archives and preservation and considers stabilizing, cleaning, restoration and/or repair.
Results when repairs and touch-ups are performed only where needed on your doll or its accessories. The aged condition of your doll will otherwise not be affected.
Results in making your doll, and its accessories, look like it did the day it was originally purchased. This does not include removing original design or manufacturing defects. Many collectable dolls were crudely made and those defects do not adversely affect the value nor appeal. We always recommend they remain to conserve the integrity of the original doll, albeit imperfect.
Basically a premium restoration being done for no reason other than emotional attachment to your doll. As one client put it, "Because she deserves it!".
Results when the hair, eyes, makeup, and/or costume are completely changed to suit your imagination. The original authenticity of your doll is altered. A popular makeover idea in our studio is to use heirloom fabrics or hair from a family member, including children or the deceased.
You may find these definitions are stated differently by others in the doll industry. I've tried to stay close to the original English definition and as applied to dealing with artifacts in general, not just dolls. Whether you deal with A Timeless Doll Hospital or not, I hope that by giving you a broader understanding of the 'jargon' we use in our studio, you'll now be more aware of your options when considering restoring or repairing your doll.
[Sheila M. Callen, a Certified Master Doll Artisan, is owner and operator of the Timeless Doll Gallery and Hospital, located in Langley, BC, Canada. Callen has been making porcelain dolls for 15 years and restoring dolls for 10 years. Her clients include private doll collectors, doll makers, doll making students, antique dealers, insurance companies, flood and fire restoration service companies, museums, and film companies throughout Canada, the United States, Great Britain, New Zealand, and Japan. For more information about Callen and her dolls and services, visit her web sites at www.timelessdolls.com and www.timelessdollhospital.com.]
This article is the property of Sheila M. Callen and it can be used with her permission, unedited, and with her bio, within the square brackets above, reprinted with the article.