This is my creation for my own challenge on Inspiration Avenue this week. I adore dolls and all their symbolism and I challenged everyone to create something with dolls and I bet the entries will be as unique and diverse as the artists themselves! Please visit Inspiration Avenue here and play along!
This doll is a widow doll from the island of Noirmoutier, just off the coast of France. The island has whitewashed fisherman's houses with blackened wooden windows and shingle roofs. I tried to capture the feel of the island in her little handmade cottage.
The main form of employment on the island used to be deep sea fishing. It is said that there are up to four generations of widows living on this island, at any given time. They are all widows of fishermen lost at sea! The widows of Noirmoutier are recognised by their black clothing.
You will see that this widow carries the keys of La Chaitelaine, the housekeeper. She is a devoted follower of the Blessed Mother and Her Son and in her right hand she has a tiny chaplet.
She has a beautiful altar made from shells, a tiny cupboard with an iron, a copper kettle and some books, as well as her trusty black coal stove and red enamel pots.
You will also see that she has a widow's 'set' consisting of a widow's Bible and rosary.
Happy creating
Hettienne
