RARE VINTAGE USSR SOVIET ARMY, HAND SEWN, HAND PAINTED
PAPIER-MACHE 'DEFENDER DOLL,' W/WOOL UNIFORM, CAP,
RED METAL STAR & BRASS BUTTONS
(Circa 1945-1950)
Post WWII Russian hand made commemorative
military dolls
DIMENSIONS:
18" Height x 6 ½" Width (Shoulders)
x 16 ½" Arm span (stretched out) x 4" Depth
MATERIALS:
Papier-machê, wool uniform, cap and boots, red metal star on cap, brass buttons on jacket, woven cotton belt, with metal belt buckle, painted face and neck over papier-mache head construction.
DESCRIPTION:
Offered is this exceedingly rare, vintage, Post-WWII 'Soviet Defender Doll,' hand made, hand painted and hand sewn Russian soldier, with wool uniform, cap, metallic Soviet Army red star, brass star buttons, cotton woven belt with metal buckle and hand sewn knee high black army boots. The doll is in very well preserved overall vintage condition with only a few slight drying cracks (which are barely noticeable) on the face. This is a result of the lacquered papier-mache material drying out over time and possibly caused by being played with and the result of previous tumbles and/or drops. The paint on the face and upper neck is nearly undisturbed and is without dings, dents, paint loss, papier-mache loss or other condition issues. The wool cap has slightly been pulled upwards, revealing the original, darkened glue below, attaching the cap to the top of the head. The wool cap and uniform are complete and without tears, loss or stains. There's some evidence of very slight mildew spotting on the wool fabric. There are no moth holes, vacant threading, tears, loss, holes or other issues to the wool. The doll was found incredibly nearly undisturbed in a chest of drawers in the greater Boston metropolitan area. It's unclear if the doll was brought to the United States right after the Second World War or if it came with the belongings of more recent Russian or possibly Ukranian immigrants to the United States. What's very clear however is that this is a very rare and extremely well preserved piece of history and an important cultural/military artifact from the previous USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.) Many of these post WWII Soviet Defender Dolls didn't survive or were discarded after being deemed to be 'politically incorrect' and suddenly 'undesirable,' in light of the political demise of Russian communism and of the Soviet Union as a political state entity in 1991. This doll survived and tells a story of what was and of the immense pride all Russians shared with the defeat of Nazi Germany in WWII, at an unbelievable cost of the lives of at least 27 million of its citizens. This vintage Soviet Defender Doll is the evidence of that epic, historic struggle and of a period no Russian will soon forget. In unbelievable, well-preserved vintage condition. An incredible cultural artifact. Amazing. Exceedingly rare. Magnificent.
CONDITION:
Very Good to Excellent overall vintage condition.
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