Rare dolls exceeds expectations

A RARE doll by Shropshire toymaker Norah Wellings exceeded expectations when it went under the hammer at Moore Allen & Innocent’s general and antique sale on Friday, September 12.

The African tribal doll, complete with original grass skirt and jewellery and painted lips and teeth, and measuring an impressive 36 inches tall, sold for £180 against an estimate of £100 to £150.

Wellings designed and produced dolls from her Victoria Toy Works between 1926 and 1959. Each of her dolls comes with a label of authenticity stitched onto the bottom of the left foot.

The top price of the day was reserved for lot 780, which – by amazing coincidence – sold for £780. The mid-17th century walnut chest of drawers featured moulded rectangular top above three geometrically moulded long drawers raised on simple stile supports.

Finally, a limited edition goblet celebrating the thirteenth centenary of Gloucester Cathedral was sold for £95, just shy of its £100 estimate.

It was produced in a run of 681 referring to the year in which King Ethelred of Mercia gave the go-ahead for construction. The goblet was crafted in 1981 and bore the London hallmark of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths.

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A Norha Wellings doll and friend	A goblet commemorating the thirteenth centenary of Gloucester Cathedral
A mid-17th century walnut chest of drawers