Reproduction Izannah Walker Dolls - Paula Walton

Paula Walton's Izannah Walker Reproduction doll is made using a pattern she drafted from her original, antique Izannah Walker doll. This site is focused on original antique Izannah Walker dolls and what's going on in the "Izannah World." It's not a discussion site for repro dolls - that happens in the Maida Dolls Group. However, when someone uses an original Izannah Walker Doll for a pattern or head design, it is worth talking about here, as I did with Kathy Patterson's dolls in May Paula says,

"This painted cloth doll is a reproduction of one of the pre-patent c. 1850-1860 Izannah Walker dolls in my personal collection. Made specifically for the Izannah purist, who values a strict adherence to original construction methods and materials. This is an 18-1/2 inch tall all cloth doll. Her head is made from layers of pressed stockinette and cotton. She has bare feet with individually stitched toes, and applied thumbs. I drafted the patterns directly from my antique dolls and made the molds for the pressed cloth head using the original dolls. The doll’s body is made from 100% cotton fabric, her head is stiffened silk stockinet, and her “second skin” is made from glazed antique linen. She is stuffed with organic cotton stuffing to match the stuffing in the original dolls. All painted areas on the doll were first painted with gesso and then several layers of artist oils."

Paula's inspiration is below:

Paula Walton's Original Izannah Walker Doll, above.

You can visit Paula's website
for more information about her creations.

A Mystery Indeed...

Reproduction doll or an original Izannah Walker doll that has (ahem) been "helped and helped and helped"?

The seller of the Izannah doll above ended the auction with this note:

"I am ending this listing early due to MANY INQUIRIES on this doll as to what is UNDER HER SHOULDER PLATE fabric. There is a possibility this is an ORIGINAL IZANNAH WALKER DOLL that has had repair with the pink fabric that you see put OVER an existing shoulder plate and blended into the neck and then repainted...This could explain the thickness at her neck. In order to truly check this, I have to end the auction and relist it, with the new buyer only having to RESTITCH the pink material back onto the body. There will be nothing else done to her from the original listing...I will POST all PHOTOS with new ones of what I find."

I love a mystery! We've all read about those paintings that were put under a special devise only to discover a long-lost Rembrandt or Titian. Again, mostly likely this is a reproduction doll, but what if it were an Izannah doll underneath? Maybe one with a crackled face? But I also have an active imagination which may mean that underneath that pink cloth is more pink cloth that's been painted.

Underneath view of the pink cloth of the shoulderplate

Click here to see the relisted doll at auction

A Flock of Tiny Izannah Walker Reproduction Dolls

Doll by Mandy Broome of Fiddlestix Studios

There are many wonderful past dollmakers that we dollmakers like to emulate. Emma Adams, Ella Smith, Julia Beecher, Martha Chase are examples. But no other dollmaker inspires like Izannah Walker. There is something about studying a master that informs your own independent creations.

The Coffee with Tea Ebay group had a challenge to make an Izannah Walker inspired doll that is under 8 inches tall. All of you dollmakers out there know what a feat that is! Smaller is not easier. I am so impressed with the creativity of the dolls that came from this challenge.

Click the links or pictures to see what each dollmaker has made.

Doll by Jackie Hendricks of Plain-n-Simple

Doll by Nancy Gerber of Atticbabys

Doll by Dixie Redmond of Northdixie Designs






Doll by Bonnie Cain of Saltforkridge

Doll by Nina Mason Dolls

Doll by Lone Pierette

If I had the discretionary income at this time, I would buy every one of these beauties and line them up. They would be wonderful displayed as a group!

Izannah's Call

Izannah inspired doll on left
CLC dolls, Cindi Ciampa

Black Folk Art Doll on right
The Blackberry Briar, Michelle Sylvia

Almost every dollmaker will get there. Someone will tell you about Izannah Walker and you will be struck by the beauty of her dolls. Or you will see a beautiful doll made by a modern dollmaker and find out it was inspired by Izannah Walker. The above dolls were made for a swap - aren't they gorgeous and wonderful foils for one another?