Basel Beer Wives- Creative Beginnings

Many are preparing for the United States' 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which falls this Saturday, the 4th of July. I have been digging into research that is doubly old, as per my usual. I was inspired to make more dolls that are dressed outside the English 16th-century scope. I do have some experience working with German, French, and Italian styles of clothing. So I decided I wanted to make dolls that were more German or from adjacent countries like Switzerland. I have made a few 16th-century German dolls in the past but not a whole series. All inspired by four miniature lidded salt ware beer steins I found while thrifting locally, obtained a few months ago.  

The dolls are all Ashton Drake bride dolls, so they are all beer matrons. Also, women most often did the brewing for the house, so this is not an out-of-the-ordinary task. So they have a wedding ring painted in naturally and white bridal shoes, although period shoes are not so high-heeled. These dolls were part of a collection that I obtained from the original owner. The original owner happened to be a Canadian Scadian, while the tariffs and the Canadian mail strike made it nearly impossible to ship the dolls at a reasonable price or within a reasonable time. I planned a trek to Niagara Falls for an afternoon exchange, as that was the only option remaining.  Made a new Eldomearian friend in the process and had a lovely lunch before heading home. The original owner knew I would be redressing the dolls and wanted them to go to a good home. If the dolls had been thrifted instead, they could end up in a landfill, so she was trying to find the right person to take them on. Am always happy to take on adult fashion porcelain dolls for redressing. I did get a hard time from a US Border Partol agent, who thought an afternoon in Canada was odd on the reentry side, although I am not surprised by the hard time with the current way things are being run. Was able to make it back without creating a wee international incident. The dolls are supplies to make art objects, not contraband. While I have a security background and understand rules, regulations, and declarations, this was a little crazy. So all dolls from this project are Eldomerian imports for creation into the Basel Beer Wives Project.

Firstly, I wanted to find images from the period to inspire the project. So who better to look up than Hans Holbein or his son Hans Holbein the Younger, and see if they had drawings or paintings for clothing inspiration? They never disappoint. I found the images below for references on bodice shape, layers, and accessories. These images are attributed to Basel, which is a town in Switzerland. In the 16th century, Basel was a crossroads of commerce from several regions, as it bordered the German principalities, France, and the Holy Roman Empire. So trade was lucrative, and items were moving to and fro through Basel.  So we have our setting for the outfits and some of the accessories 

Then worked out what layers I wanted, in this case a thin high-necked shift, and full sleeves for puff and slash, low scoop-necked bodices, and the gowns/kirtles made out of wool with matching velvet trim. The rainbow set of colors per doll occurred organically, as I was just planning on using wool from my stash to source colors and velvet ribbon from Michaels Arts and Crafts. I wanted as many natural fibers as possible, but didn't want to spend money on silk velvet ribbon. Rayon still gives the same effect in the pile as silk does, and this project is for my own enjoyment, not for an Arts and Sciences competition. Although I still want this endeavor to have the same amount of vismilitude as my competition pieces.  

Each doll has a linen haub, with an under roll to set the shape. A velvet band to match her color dress over the haub. The band over the haub could be decorated; typically embroidery, and it was part of a veil. Linen high-necked chemise, gathered at the neckline and cuffs, with full sleeves. Wool bodice with velvet trim and matching full skirt with guards of velvet bands at the bottom of different widths. 

Accessories include a wool flat cap with feather and jewel detail, a fine linen apron with ladder-lace detail, velvet pouches with filigree decoration, a dagger with sheath, a ceramic beer stein with a pewter lid, a gemstone bottle, a set of keys, a genuine leather belt with an 18k gold-plated boss and buckle, and coordinating jewelry. These ladies are out on the town for a beer run in their Sunday best. 

I’m not done yet, as I have two more that are in the process of being dressed. Although Orange wife and Green wife are coming along nicely, as I have been working on six sets of accessories the whole time. So I kitted them out as I finished clothing layers. 

Keep an eye on this space for more doll fun as I complete these 6 ladies. 

From the workable of the Mistress of Poppets, 

Mairin