GIRL WITH GLASS BEADS, SKELETON by artist Francesca Loi

Mixed media OOAK art doll: air dry clay, cotton block printed fabrics, vintage lace, glass and metal beads, gold leaf, sari silk ribbon and wire. The body (not posable) is made of white, needle-felted Corriedale Top, over a wire armature (to give her the right shape), wrapped in a cotton block printed fabric. Head, hands, and feet are sculpted in air dry clay.

Her exposed ribcage is made of a sari silk ribbon wrapped and securely sewn over a wire armature and decorated with beads. Her heart is made of silk fabric. She is painted with chalks, watercolours, and acrylics. Gold leaves cover her crown, neck, hands, legs and the buckles of her 18th century inspired shoes, all sealed with a matte varnish. She has a metal vintage ring on her back, to be displayed against a wall. Completely hand sewn.

34 cm/13.5 inches tall

This doll is part of a pair: a human and her skeleton “reflection” counterpart. Shown in last image with its sister piece. Sold separately.

What do I see in my own reflections? What do others see in theirs?
When in front of a mirror the current self – what I am now – is standing between two mirrored versions of the same: what I was, and what I will be.

“My hair will grow long and dry yet my clothing will sparkle.”