GEORGINA RITSON DOLLS

Georgina Ritson began producing dolls for miniaturists in 2006. Her work first gained recognition with invitations to Miniatura and the Kensington Dolls House Festival in 2007. Seen in books, magazines and museums Georgina Ritson dolls have sold around the world travelling as far a field as Queensland, South Africa and New York. Over time a waiting list for Georgina’s creations began to grow. When the waiting list for commissioned pieces reached 12 months it became necessary to find other craftspeople to create the dolls with her....

Originally created by an artist who also sculpts for Wedgwood, Georgina Ritson Original Dolls are individually hand made from porcelain. The dolls are created by a classically trained sculptor who learned the art of casting miniatures for Royal Doulton in the 1990s. The process by which the dolls are created remains loyal to the traditional production methods first used in the Staffordshire Potteries in 1840.

London is the home of Georgina Ritson Dolls. The dolls are dressed in quintessentially “British fashion” which shines through in the 20th century and contemporary collections, dressed in famous Liberty of London fabric. The plentiful variety of fashion, culture and museums in London provide inspiration for the dolls’ clothing, hair and faces.

The miniature doll making process begins with casting the figures out of porcelain slip, using production moulds. The porcelain is cleaned twice before the final kiln firing and the finished pieces are polished by hand. Remaining loyal to traditional production techniques, the dolls faces are hand painted ensuring that no two faces are the same.

Once the individual pieces of porcelain are made the doll is assembled, paying close attention to scale and proportion as this can make or break the realistic persona of a miniature character. Once the figure is assembled, the painstaking process of costuming and wigging begins, bringing the piece “to life.” At this stage each piece becomes inevitably unique.

 “The costuming process begins with a period of careful research, using a variety of reference works, to ensure both realism and authenticity. Once the miniature doll’s persona is decided I (or one of my helpers) can then begin selecting the correct materials to clothe him or her. I use only the finest lace and silks and am constantly on the look out for special miniature dress making fabrics.

Wig making is one of my favourite stages as it can make such a difference (just like real hair) by altering face shape to convey a particular characteristic or personality. I use man made fabrics to make the wigs and often spend hours meticulously styling and re-styling so that the hair is perfect. Finally, I craft accessories with which to add the final touches to the dolls house doll’s character; ranging from ladies fans, the essential 18th-century accessory, to the brightly flamboyant shoes of the 20th century.”

Dolls' House World Magazine