The Carvers Handcraft Wooden Dolls
By Melanie Luther
Photos courtesy of Carver Wooden Creations
Charles Stuart Carver first dipped his toe into the art of wooden dolls when a friend asked for help with the restoration of a Grödnertal doll. After extensive research into a variety of methods and techniques, Charles successfully completed the much-needed repairs and painted the doll’s face and hair, thereby reviving her old-world charm.
Originally trained in porcelain and bisque doll restoration, Charles took a leap into his own wooden doll artistry at the behest of his wife, Alicia. She has been involved in the doll industry for more than 20 years as an antique doll dealer and member of the United Federation of Doll Clubs.
Alicia retells this anecdote about the beginning of their artistic journey into wooden re-creations: “I had been asking Charlie to make me a wooden doll for years, as he is a talented and lifelong enthusiastic wood hobbyist. After seeing the restored Grödnertal, the idea was born. He could carve and re-create 19th century Grödnertals, as there were not many wooden artists re-creating dolls from this era. My mind was turning and I poured over examples I found in catalogs and on the internet to come up with the ideal one — Queen Victoria’s dolls.”
After further study, the Carvers learned that Queen Victoria genuinely loved her doll collection, especially her small wooden dolls, because she could change their clothing and move them about in her dollhouse. This supported the couple’s original thoughts about which dolls to make and inspired the Queen Victoria series of Carver wooden dolls. Lady Gertrude and Sir William Arnold were selected as the first pair of dolls to be re-created.
Charles began carving, and a year later, the prototypes were ready. It was an arduous process that required careful attention, as each doll was composed of nine separate pieces with eight joints that had to be carved to fit together perfectly. The body and legs were crafted from locally sourced wood, while the arm joints were constructed from hard maple for durability. The dolls were painted by hand and signed by Charles.
Alicia, who often consults with Charles during the dollmaking process and has been known to whisper in his ear from time to time to “tweak” a facial expression, took on the responsibility of making the dolls’ authentic reproduction fashions. She searched for fabrics that were correct for the period and managed to find several selections in her personal textile stash and shops in Miami that specialized in imported fabrics. Then she set to work.
Of course, once the dolls were dressed, they needed to be properly displayed. Charles and Alicia turned their attention to designing, building, and furnishing a Queen Victoria-inspired dollhouse for them.
Eager to meet the UFDC Convention deadline, the Carvers decided to add more hands to their doll workshop in Florida. In their own words, Alicia and Charles expressed their appreciation to all of their “helpers,” who were “friends and family without whose support we could not have accomplished this.” At the 2021 convention, which took place in Baltimore, Maryland, the Carvers’ wooden doll creations came to life! A limited edition of 50 pairs of Lady Gertrude and Sir William Arnold were brought to market, and collectors embraced them. Each doll came in an excelsior-filled decorated box with a laser-engraved certificate of authenticity.
While the Carvers continued to produce dolls for the Queen Victoria-inspired series, they also developed a series based on characters from Jane Austen’s novels. Having been an English teacher, Alicia was intrigued by the Regency era and the costumes, hats, and accessories that could be made for the series. It’s a period not frequently addressed by doll artists. At 12 inches, Emma is one of Alicia’s favorites. The doll is carved in the early Grödnertal manner, with a slender, elongated body and delicate hands; she dons a tuck comb and drop-bead earrings. Other dolls in the Austen series include Mr. George Knightley, Ms. Elizabeth (Lizzy) Bennet, and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Future releases will include Austen heroines like Fanny and Eleanor. Alicia’s talented friend Val Hays designed Regency era patterns and sewed dresses for the collection, and Alicia offers some patterns and ready-made outfits of her own. She has even designed and fabricated some hats herself.
A more recent addition to the workshop is Grace, an 18-inch early Oberammergau replica. She is carved from solid wood and displays fully articulating ball joints in the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. Painted by hand and completed with an antique-colored wax finish, Grace wears a Regency era dress made of historical printed cotton fabric that follows the post-French Revolution style.
The Carvers have brought limited editions of hand-carved and hand-painted wooden dolls to several UFDC Conventions, including Leontyne, Miss Unity, and Dolly. Collectors are now anxiously awaiting the arrival of Josephine and Napoleon, which are planned for the 2026 UFDC Convention.
In addition to the unique and exceptional edition underway, Alicia and Charles continue to expand their offerings as collectors demand more. Currently, they are toying with the idea of adding a re-creation of Hitty to their wooden doll repertoire. Collectors can find the Carvers’ wooden doll creations at various doll and miniature shows, as well as on their website.
Carver Wooden Recreations – thedollcarvers.com
