The  Museum of Dolls in Czech Republic is home to two of my creations. The first to call the museum home was my little Saoirse vinyl baby doll sculpted by Bonnie Brown, followed shortly thereafter by Sharlamae the vinyl toddler sculpted by Bonnie Brown.  You can see photo's of these two dolls below and also by visiting the museum's website. 

The museum is situated 80 km from Prague in the heart of Český ráj (Bohemian Paradise), 500 meters away from the castle Trosky. You will find an extensive exhibition of more than 2,000 items representing the development of dolls and teddy bears since 1840 to contemporary artistic production. The museum is built in a rural style which resonates with the local landscape and with the village of Troskovice.

Many dolls were awarded at various exhibitions and competitions, there are also displayed other rarities. The museum also includes a neonatal ward, where is a large number of unique dolls – OOAK, silicone dolls and reborn dolls. The purpose of the museum is to explain to the public that the notion of doll can express something else than a mere item intended for children's games.

The museum was already much publicized in newspapers and magazines in the Czech and international television.

A doll
• as a historical item
• as a teaching and educational aid
• as a silver screen hero
• as famous personalities
• as an item of cult
• as Police
• as a presentation of jewelry and fashion
• as a cultural monument and a symbol of a city
• as an item of household use
• as a piece of art

In addition, you will find many teddy bears, strollers and other historic items.
Due to its unique extent, the exhibition will make impression on visitors of all ages regardless of gender.

Museum opened to the public:

From 1. May to 30. September, more info :http://www.muzeumpanenek.cz/kontakty-a-oteviraci-doba

MAY, JUNE, SEPTEMBER:
Tuesday - Sunday
10.00 am - 16.00 pm

JULY, AUGUST:
Tuesday - Sunday
10.00 am - 17.00 pm

"The doll was born to live in us.
She gave joy, love, happiness,
feeling that one is not alone.
Love her and discover there is 
more than a memory of childhood.
Get to know her and accept all,
what she so generously offers.
Together with us promote her 
more than mere child's toy “
Written by Nada Simkova

Museum was founded by Nada (52 years old)  and George (56 years old) Simek in 2005. Nada is interested about dolls  more than thirty years. She graduated from art school, her interest is painting, photography, history of art. Dolls fascinate her in terms of historical and art.

She is the mother of four children - two daughters and two sons and now works as the director of the Museum. Dolls are her work, love and hobby.
She loves antique dolls, but also modern designer dolls produced by artists from around the world. She and her husband spend much time at international exhibitions and fairs. They have recently visited the Toy Fair in Hong Kong and INDEX Doll Show in Orlando.

Antique exhibition exposes a lot of very rare dolls with porcelain heads of the French and German production,  cloth dolls Lenci and  Käthe Kruse, unique  French boudoir dolls,  celluloid dolls  Minerva  and Schildkröte ,unique bronze molds for  making dolls and much more. The historic exhibition is divided according to the materials used to produce of dolls.

This allows children to see dolls with which to play their grandmothers. Not all dolls were intended for children's play. They have served as a decoration castle interiors.

Modern exhibition includes  dolls by Philip Heath, Carine Lossnitzer, Hildegard Günzel. Many of exposed dolls received the award Doty, Colliii Awards, MOA and other.

The room, which is arranged as a newborn separation in the hospital are silicone babies by Romie Strydom,  Claire Taylor, Selena Saxton, L.M.Sands, Julie Molloy, Michele Fagan, Birgit Gutzwiller, Rita Rich, Melissa McCorryand display of reborn and OOAK  babies by Donn Lee, Helen Jalland, Selena Saxton, Denise Farmer, A.R.Herrington, Stacey Haskins, Sylvia Jantzen… We also  exhibit portrait dolls modeled unique of cernit. We have  design doll of Albert Einstein, daughter of the most popular Czech singer Karel Gott, U.S. President's daughter Sasha Obama, Grandmother with grandchild, All of these modeled dolls are of course only one an existing  pieces on the world.

Young visitors most admired horror doll Chucky, dolls inspired by this film Avatar, dolls in the style of Gothick, and Mr. Bean's teddy bear.
The big attractions are police dolls. It is a demonstration dolls boy and girl, which are used during the interrogation of children and it is patent Czech criminal police. As the only institution in the Czech Republic. We obtained approval of the Police Presidium in Prague publicly expose these dolls.
There are dolls teaching tools for medical care and and teaching on the the Child Care from the very oldest to the most modern version of the robotic doll made in Japan.

The museums exposure nicely complement the historical toys and prams made from 1860 to the modern designer. There is a pram with a gilded handle fourteen karat gold. This pram was ordered for  Sheiks baby to Arab Emirates.

Exposition is regularly changes annually. The new exhibition is always prepared one year in advance. It often happens that someone gives us their unneeded doll. We are especially thankful for the historical dolls and bears made within a maximum of 1950. Are held there various events. The most popular event is the Hospital for dolls, at the our event hosted  professional artists and restorers. Sometimes we also organize interesting competition for professional artists, amateurs or visitors museums.

Each year visit the museum several hundred tourists from around the world. The surroundings of the museum is very interesting. It is in an area protected by UNESCO. Here is a beautiful nature and large number of castles and chateaux.

Of course, Museum  has its problems also. The biggest problem is the increasing cost of energy and capacity of building. Existing building area 1000 square meters is insufficient for exposure, depositary, office and and flat for museums manager.

Museums management is considering to accept a lucrative interesting offer on long-term hosting exposure in abroad.

Now the museum is still in the Czech Republic and looks forward to your visit.

Nada worships this quote:
"The world of dolls is a world of dreams and to live in a dreams is a dream"

Dear lover of dolls, if you want, we can dream together.

A lot of love for dolls wishes you the Museum of Dolls and Teddy – Bears in Czech Republic

I will also be creating a new infant doll to submit to the museum, in memory of fellow artist and sculptor, Ms. Petra Lechner, who sadly lost her battle with cancer in the fall of 2015. 

I will be using one the last sculpts she created, baby "Hope" for this project and plan to have it completed by the end of 2016.  Below you will see the work in progress on this baby.