This doll relates directly to the family of Sir Henry Parkes, a former premier of New South Wales and one of the founding fathers of the Australian constitution.
A fashionable bisque doll from the 1890s, it belonged to Sir Henry's granddaughter Mary Parkes. She was the daughter of Isabella (nee Murray) and Varney Parkes. The younger son of Henry and Clarinda Parkes, Varney had first married Isabella's sister Mary. However Mary died shortly after her marriage and, after a tour of America and Europe with Sir Henry, Isabella married Varney in 1884.
She went on to have five children of whom three survived (Mary, Murray and Norman). The family was often short of money as Varney had a chequered career as an architect, politician and businessman. Although not a distinguished architect, his practice seems to have flourished in the early 1890s, when he designed the 'Marble Bar' for George Adams' hotel in Pitt St and other buildings in the city. However he was extravagant, lost money in various unsuccessful ventures and was declared bankrupt in 1895.
Varney was notorious for his extra-marital affairs. Isabella left him to live in Edinburgh in 1899 and sought a divorce three years later. This was not granted and she returned to bring up her family alone, settling in the suburb of Waverley. A resourceful, independent woman, Isabella found employment and raised her children frugally but successfully. She lived with her daughter Mary (even after Mary's marriage) until her death in 1927.
The family's fluctuating fortunes may be the reason that this beautifully made and expensive doll appears to have had none of the clothes and accessories that commonly were sold with such dolls. The family's need to economise is evident in the fact that the doll's clothes were home-made, probably by Isabella with help from the young Mary.
The doll is part of the museum's collection of material from the Parkes family donated by Mary Parkes' daughter Jane. This material includes additional home-made clothes for the doll, a sample shoe and leather pieces from the shoes Isabella made for her children. Although it was common practice to make children's clothes, the impecunious state of the family's finances undoubtedly made it a necessity.
Although the museum has a significant doll collection, most were bought at auction and few have can be traced to their original owners.
Probably a German doll, maker unknown. Clothing probably home made.
This is the date given by the donor and accords with the style of the doll.
Used by Mary Parkes, granddaughter of Sir Henry Parkes. The family's fluctuating fortunes may be the reason that this beautifully made and expensive doll appears to have had none of the clothes and accessories that commonly were sold with such dolls. The family's need to economise is evident in the fact that the doll's clothes were home-made, probably by Isabella Parkes with help from the young Mary.
This doll belonged to Mary Davidson (nee Parkes), the daughter of Varney and Isabella (nee Murray) Parkes. Varney was the younger son of Henry and Clarinda Parkes who had first married Isabella's sister Mary. However Mary had died shortly after her marriage and, after a tour of America and Europe with Varney's father, Henry, Isabella married him in 1884 and went on to have five children of whom three survived (Mary, Murray and Norman). The family was often short of money as Varney had a chequered career as an architect, politician and business man and was notorious for his various affairs. Isabella left him to live in Edinburgh in 1899 and sought a divorce three years later. This was not granted and Isabella brought up her family alone, settling in Waverley. The family's fortunes may be the reason that this doll does not have all the clothes and accessories of others in the collection and most of her clothes are home-made.
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