Felt Toys. Felt is a textile material that is produced by matting, condensing and pressing fibers together. Felt can be made of natural fibers such as wool or animal fur, or from synthetic fibers such as petroleum-based acrylic or acrylonitrile or wood pulp-based rayon. Blended fibers are also common. Reference: Wikipedia
In toy making the best felt is usually 100% wool felt which is thicker and more durable than synthetic felt.
ITALIAN FELT MINIATURE DOLL WITH BUMBLEBEE APPLIQUE BY LENCI
8″ (20 cm.) Felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features, blue painted downcast eyes, painted lashes, O-shaped mouth in surprised expression, blonde mohair wig in long ringlet curls, felt body with jointing at shoulders and hips, felt hands. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Italian, Lenci, circa 1935, with original box indicating model “Miniature 23”. Value Points: delightful miniature Lenci, in vibrant costume, wearing original organdy gown with orange felt jacket, yellow felt bonnet with flower, applique felt bumblebee on front of skirt.
Sold for $950 at Theriault’s
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a 1937 American film based on the fairy tale of the same name by the Brothers Grimm. It was the first full length animated feature to be produced by Walt Disney. The British Chad Valley toy company was one of several who were licensed to make Disney proved to be extremely popular.
The manufactured soft toy is Sleepy from the Snow White and the Seven dwarfs. The toy has a pressed felt mask face with painted blue eyes with black eyelashes, eyebrows and wrinkle lines. The toy has a red nose, lips and cheeks. A long white beard frames his face and is attached under the fuchsia hat. Sleepy is a stuffed toy with a cloth torso and gray trousers. He is dressed in a short-sleeve gray shirt which is belted at the waist with a fuchsia band. He wears a faded fuchsia-coloured felt hat and slippers. Sleepy is missing his belt buckle.
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
Bing walking boy with c/w tinplate toy boat, circa 1908 The boy with felt covered head and glass eyes, black hat, red felt top and cotton trousers, felt shoes with wheels to soles, hand painted tinplate sailing boat with single wheel and clockwork mechanism, pole attached to boys hand, chain and anchor, when wound boat moves forward propelling the boy forward as his legs move back and forth (G, features to boys head faded, small hole to nose, some minor paint chips to boat), 32cm (12 1/2in) long.
Sold for £ 2,000 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2014
A STEIFF FIRST AID DOG, (1122d), light brown felt, brown and black glass eyes, black stitching, grey felt coat with Red Cross symbol, leather collar with Red Cross tag and harness with wooden container, gold painted cast metal wheels and FF button with remains of white tag, circa 1915-17 –9½in. (24cm.) long (slightly faded)
Sold for GBP 7,500 at Christie’s in 2010
28″ ITALIAN FELT EUROPEAN LADY PARLOR DOLL. ORIGINAL ELABORATE HAIRSTYLE ON FELT HEAD, MOLDED AND FINELY PAINTED FACIAL FEATURES MADE IN THE LENCI STYLE AS ARE ARMS AND HANDS. CLOTH SITTING BODY STITCH JOINTED AT KNEES AND HIPS. LONG SLENDER FIRM LEGS STITCH COVERED WITH ORIGINAL STOCKINGS. VICTORIAN ERA BROCADE AND SEQUINED TULE WITH MATCHING SHOES. THIS OUTSTANDING DOLL PURPORTEDLY MADE FOR CANDY COMPANY PROPRIETOR.
Sold for $1,350 at Apple Tree Auction Center in 2019
John Wright Little Red Riding Hood felt doll, in original outfit with basket of bread, edition of 500, 20” h.
Sold for $150 at Pook & Pook, Inc. with Noel Barrett in 2019
