Porcelain dolls dressed in traditional costumes are on display in Galveston, Tx, from September 16 to January 11, 2006. After a getting a great reception at Moody Gardens, Galveston the dolls have extended their stay until January 2006. The dolls handmade by Tordis Røyne are on loan from the Valdres Folk Museum in Norway.
The exhibit is sponsored by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is part of the international program for Norway’s Centennial Anniversary 1905-2005. This exhibit offers guests the opportunity to see dolls in the traditional Bunad costumes that represent all major regions of this beautiful land of fjords and mountains.
Since 1980,Tordis Roeyne has created these special dolls, which have been exhibited and sold throughout Norway, Denmark, Germany, England, Portugal, France, Poland, as well as the United States. The head of each doll is made out of porcelain with individually painted facial expressions. The bodies are produced from textile or porcelain or a combination of both materials. The clothing is handmade in accordance with original Norwegian costumes from regions throughout the country. Miniature brooches, buttons, buckles, belts, and wedding crowns are all handcrafted silverware created by Inger Norun Solhaug. Shoes are handmade by soft sheep-leather by Johannes Groethe.
The Norwegian Doll Exhibit will be on display in the Moody Gardens® Visitors Center, and admission is free to the public. For more information, call Moody Gardens® at 800-582-4673 or visit www.moodygardens.org.