The donor was given this doll about 50 years ago by her grandfather (in the late 1960s). He used to be a handyman at a high rise building in St Kilda, Melbourne. He had been doing some work for one of the old ladies and she gave him the doll to give to his granddaughter, who collected dolls. The doll has spent a few years at the Nagambie museum until it closed down and returned to the donor The origins or age of the doll are unknown. Originally it was thought to be a Fashion Doll dating from around the 1880s but the painted face together with the bisque legs and gold painted shoes are similar to those found on Boudoir Dolls (also known as Bed Dolls, Sofa Dolls, Flapper Dolls and French Dolls) of the early 20th century. Fashion dolls were sent from fashion houses to advertise the latest styles, fabrics, trims, hairstyles and accessories. Dressmakers would show these dolls to their customers. Ladies would then place their order and the dressmakers would make the dress to their size. The dressmakers would learn the construction techniques from examining the dolls. Boudoir Dolls dolls usually had no maker's marks and were primarily used as bedroom decorations for ladies rather than as children's toys. This doll appears to date at about the early part of the 20th century, but the petticoats are much older - possibly from a child's christening gown. At the time that the donor received the doll, it had a coloured lace over-gown that was badly torn so her mother removed it to replace with more lace but this never eventuated. The pink silk dress also appears to have been remodelled into a 19th century style with gathered sleeves and a gathered skirt. This fashion or boudoir doll is significant for being a rare example of a doll made in the late 19th or early 20th centuries. The doll is wearing clothing representing the fashion for young girls in that era. The doll is also significant as an item possibly used by fashion houses and dressmakers to advertise the latest fashions in clothing, trims, accessories and hairstyles. A doll such as this may have been found in a Victorian dressmaker's premises for use as a pattern and technique template and for a display to customers. It may also have been used as a decorative item in a lady's bedroom.Female boudoir doll with silk face and body, and porcelain lower arms and legs. She has plaited blonde silk hair. Her painted face has brown eyes and her shoes are painted gold. The doll is dressed in a long pink puffed-sleeve dress with a gathered waist and a ruffle at the hem. A pink ribbon around her waist is tied at the back. There are small silver balls hand-stitched around the neckline. She has a white, hand-embroidered lace petticoat and bloomers.warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, doll, boudoir doll, female doll, dressmaker's doll, display doll, late 1800s doll, fashion doll, antique doll, 19th century doll, children's fashion, girl's fashion, late 1800s children's fashion, early 20th century doll, composite doll, french doll

Else Oertel and her daughter Else-Lore were interned in Camp 3A from 1940. Her husband was not interned as he was on a business trip to Germany when war broke out. Friedel Dehnel "Tante Fiffi" made the authentic Bavarian doll and clothes. Friedel, wife of Walter Dehnel, arrived as a young woman from Austria, working in the Victorian snowfields as a chef and was a champion skier. She then became a dressmaker for Melbourne society and insisted that she be interned to be with her husband. She made costumes for the internment camp plays and took over her husband's duties as a cook for Camp A when he was locked up for "insubordination". She was deported with her husband back to Germany after the war and cared for her orphaned nephews and nieces in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.Doll dressed in authentic Bavarian costume. Black wool hat trimmed with gold lace and dried flowers. Gold coloured skirt on dress with sash. Bodice is black with traditional embroidery. White long sleeves with lace trim at cuffs. She is holding a basket with dried flowers."Merry Christmas Else-Lore" on baseelse oertel, else lore hukins, friedel dehnel, dressmaker, chef, camp 3

Else Oertel and her daughter Else-Lore were interned in Camp 3A from 1940. Her husband was not interned as he was on a business trip to Germany when war broke out. Friedel Dehnel "Tante Fiffi" made the authentic Bavarian doll and clothes. Friedel, wife of Walter Dehnel, arrived as a young woman from Austria, working in the Victorian snowfields as a chef and was a champion skier. She then became a dressmaker for Melbourne society and insisted that she be interned to be with her husband. She made costumes for the internment camp plays and took over her husband's duties as a cook for Camp A when he was locked up for "insubordination". She was deported with her husband back to Germany after the war and cared for her orphaned nephews and nieces in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.Hand made Authentic Bavarian doll. He wears a bottle green woolen hat with light green band and white feather. Bottle green jacket with red trim on front opening and pockets. Red jumper with white pointed collar. Leather lederhosen with flower embroidery on waist and braces. Arms and legs made from hessian? Leather boots with laces. White knitted socks with green band. Hand sewn and painted face.else oertel, friedel dehnel, bavarian, doll, dressmaker, else-lore hukins

Else Oertel and her daughter Else-Lore were interned in Camp 3A from 1940. Her husband was not interned as he was on a business trip to Germany when war broke out. The doll, named Karl by Else-Lore, was hand-carved by internee Alfons Koenig. Friedel Dehnel "Tante Fiffi" made the authentic Bavarian clothes. Friedel, wife of Walter Dehnel, arrived as a young woman from Austria, working in the Victorian snowfields as a chef and was a champion skier. She then became a dressmaker for Melbourne society and insisted that she be interned to be with her husband. She made costumes for the internment camp plays and took over her husband's duties as a cook for Camp A when he was locked up for "insubordination". She was deported with her husband back to Germany after the war and cared for her orphaned nephews and nieces in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Body, head, arms and legs carved from wood. Blue eyes, yellow hair, pink lips and skin all hand painted. Wearing a grey crochet hat with orange feather and grey crochet jacket with two metal buttons. Jacket and hat have green trim. Grey felt shorts with leather braces and green trim. White shirt and tan color tie. White socks and brown leather sandals.doll, alfons koenig, camp 3, internee, oertel family, else oertel, friedel dehnel, else-lore hukins, dressmaker, costumes, plays, chef