Museum Metadata Exchange

Names

Name PrimaryThe Narrogin Doll Factory Collection

IDs

ID LocalWAM 24

ID UriOffline Only

Descriptions

Brief DescriptionA small but rare collection of World War One era dolls, puppets and photographs from the Narrogin Doll Factory, Narrogin, Western Australia.

Full DescriptionA small but rare collection of World War One era dolls, puppets and photographs from the Narrogin Doll Factory, Narrogin, Western Australia. Wartime shortage was a major cause of improvisation. During World War One, an enterprising woman in Narrogin, Western Australia, Grace Burkitt, together with her family, made papier-maché and compound dolls to replace foreign-made dolls which were hard to buy due to wartime import restrictions. They became so popular that their home became known as the 'Narrogin Doll Factory'. Eventually, eight to ten girls were employed and up to forty dolls were produced weekly. Unfortunately in the post War period, competition from cheaper imports led to the eventual demise of this enterprise. These dolls, although crude by modern standards, have great appeal and are much sought after by doll collectors. The modest collection includes two rare Narrogin Doll Factory dolls, a Punch and Judy glove puppet set, four finger puppet heads and five photographs of the Burkitts, factory staff and displays of dolls at the Perth Royal Show. All items are part of the ECU Museum of Childhood collection held by the WA Museum.

RightsSome material may be subject to copyright.

AccessAvailable by appointment - http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/about/contact-us

NoteThese dolls were featured in the ECU Museum of Childhood national touring exhibition, Home-Made Treasures.

Subjects

aptDolls; Photography; Puppets; Toys; Wars

localDolls; Grace Burkitt; Import restrictions; Improvisation; Narrogin; Narrogin Doll Factory; Punch and Judy; Puppets; Wartime; Wartime shortages; Western Australia; World War One

pontDolls; Photographs; Puppets; Toys

scotDolls; Photography; Puppets; Resource distribution; Toy industry; Toys; World wars

person_orgGrace Burkitt; Narrogin Doll Factory; Western Australian Museum

Coverage Spatial

TextNarrogin; Western Australia; Narrogin Doll Factory

Coverage Temporal

From1914

To1929

Related Collections

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Dates

Date Record Updated2012-05-30 23:42

Date Created in MME2011-03-25 15:49