Flickr Widget

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Something else to obsess about

The only downside I've found to blogging is finding too many things that I'd like to collect. If I were a normal collector, it might not be bad at all. Tom Giannini, the collector of Vitra miniatures I posted about the other day, said he watched eBay for five years before he found a listing for a particular chair he wanted.

Oh, to be that kind of collector! But, no...When I start a collection, I want it complete by the end of next week. Or sooner. My daughter and SIL roll their eyes at each other and say, "She's obsessing again." I prefer to say that patience has never been one of my virtues.

Looking at the Design Museum website...while writing the post about the Vitra miniature collection, in fact...I ran across Alexander Girard dolls. The description reads as follows:

Alexander Girard was one of the decisive figures in post-War American design...The focus of his broad oeuvre was on textile design, and a key source of inspiration for him was his passion for the popular art of South America, Asia and East Europe. The Wooden Dolls, which Girard created for his own home in Santa Fe and made himself, are likewise inspired by his own extensive collection of works of popular art. Half decorative element, half toy, the Wooden Dolls were originally intended only for personal use. Based on originals found in the Girard Estate held by the Vitra Design Museum, the partly playful, partly grim-looking company of dolls is now coming out as a charming enhancement to any interior.

Of course I want some of these, and I'm not sure I can wait till Christmas.

From design-museum.de



Collection of Alexander Girard dolls
meudecor.com


Here are my favorites, roughly in order of preference, in case my daugher or SIL happens to be reading my post today. (And stop rolling your eyes, Jenn.)



Girard doll #12
cooperhewitt.org


Girard doll #20
cooperhewitt.org

Girard doll #3
cooperhewitt.org

Girard doll #13
cooperhewitt.org

Girard doll #1
cooperhewitt.org


Girard doll #6
cooperhewitt.org

Girard doll #17
cooperhewitt.org

Girard doll #18
cooperhewitt.org

Girard doll #19
cooperhewitt.org

Girard doll #10
cooperhewitt.org

16 comments:

  1. oh wow, I want them all, just beautiful Dana. The Cooper Hewitt has some amazing collections you just dont see the like of anywhere else.

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    1. Yes, the Cooper Hewitt store and the Design Museum store have the best gifts ever!

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  2. Ha ha! I might start obsessing about these too thanks to you Dana! Xx

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  3. I've seen these and thought about them too. I think they only cost between $100 and $200 (in Australia) so really they aren't an extravagant collection.

    No one's been generous enough to gift me any though .. sigh.

    (Come on, Jenn! Give your mother the Harlequin!)

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    Replies
    1. They usually sell for $180 here, and there are 22 of them, so you'd be looking at roughly $4000 if you wanted all of them. Jules Seltzer is selling the complete set at a special price of $2599 right now, but I don't know how long that price will last. I'd be happy owning just the first 4 or 5 on my list. :)

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  4. Dear Jenn, dear "Sil"!
    Dana is pushing Mid2Mod day by day with her wonderful posts here! Fairly enough you both are rolling to the website ordering a doll for Christmas and Not rolling you eyes

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  5. The trick I love is to search using only the description, and stay away from the name. Look for someone who is selling something and they don't know what they have got. I am trying to imagine the descriptors I would use for these...

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    Replies
    1. Yes, that's the smartest way to search. If someone already knows that he has a Girard this or an Eames that, you're out of luck already. It's a bit more time consuming, but your best finds will be using generic descriptors.

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  6. Well Dana, they are wonderful! I think obsessive and collecting just go together, so why fight it. Patience is a virtue, just not yours, nor mine. :)

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    Replies
    1. What fun is patience anyway? It's a lot better to get that adrenaline flowing and hunt, hunt, hunt!!! :)

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  7. I totally covet these and since I am a "one is never enough" sort of person I want them all. :)

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    Replies
    1. Aren't the wonderful? Just 22 of them to collect. That's no hill for a stepper! :)

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  8. I have one, picked it up for $50, but he needs friends!!!
    I think you deserve your hearts delight!
    x

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    Replies
    1. $50 is a wonderful price! Which one do you have?

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