Collections
Dolls in regional costumes

At the core of the collection are the porcelain dolls wearing costumes from various regions of Greece, manufactured in Germany in the early 20th century, and donated to the Lykeion ton Ellinidon in 1914 by Queen Olga.

The collection also includes handmade cloth dolls, which are thought to have been made at the start of the 20th century by girls attending the “Sunday Schools”, a vocational training initiative undertaken by the Lykeion ton Ellinidon.

Also in the collection are dolls from the end of the 20th to the start of the 21stcentury, as well as ceramic figurines in costumes from different areas of Greece.

Other sets comprise the handmade dolls that were created for sale in the Lykeion ton Ellinidon’s Arts and Crafts Section in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as samples from the PlaymoGreek line.

Highlights
Doll with a bisque porcelain head and composition jointed limbs, dressed in the local women’s costume of Lesvos. At the back of the head is the factory stamp “Armand Marseille Germany 390 A.O.M”, partially hidden under the sheep wool hair. Part of the doll collection donated by Queen Olga to the LtE in 1914. CMLE, Accession No. 14508. Photo: Studio Kominis.
Doll with a bisque porcelain head and composition jointed limbs, dressed in the local women’s costume of Lesvos. At the back of the head is the factory stamp “Armand Marseille Germany 390 A.O.M”, partially hidden under the sheep wool hair. Part of the doll collection donated by Queen Olga to the LtE in 1914. CMLE, Accession No. 14508. Photo: Studio Kominis.
Doll with a bisque porcelain head and composition jointed limbs, dressed in the local male shepherd’s costume of Skyros. At the back of the head is the factory stamp "S & C, Simon & Halbig, 6 ½", partially hidden under the sheep wool hair. Part of the doll collection donated by Queen Olga to the LtE in 1914. CMLE, Accession No. 14488.
Doll with a bisque porcelain head and composition jointed limbs, dressed in the local male shepherd’s costume of Skyros. At the back of the head is the factory stamp "S & C, Simon & Halbig, 6 ½", partially hidden under the sheep wool hair. Part of the doll collection donated by Queen Olga to the LtE in 1914. CMLE, Accession No. 14488.
Doll with a bisque porcelain head and composition jointed limbs, of German manufacture, dressed in the local women’s costume of Kimolos. It is part of the doll collection donated by Queen Olga to the LtE in 1914. CMLE, Accession No. 14493.
Doll with a bisque porcelain head and composition jointed limbs, of German manufacture, dressed in the local women’s costume of Kimolos. It is part of the doll collection donated by Queen Olga to the LtE in 1914. CMLE, Accession No. 14493.
Handmade cloth dolls in costumes inspired by the Ancient and Byzantine eras. It is speculated that they were created in the early 20th century by girls attending the “Sunday Schools”, a vocational guidance initiative undertaken by the LtE, which aimed to combine a technical education with earning a livelihood. CMLE, Accession Nos. 16548, 16549. Photo: Studio Kominis.
Handmade cloth dolls in costumes inspired by the Ancient and Byzantine eras. It is speculated that they were created in the early 20th century by girls attending the “Sunday Schools”, a vocational guidance initiative undertaken by the LtE, which aimed to combine a technical education with earning a livelihood. CMLE, Accession Nos. 16548, 16549. Photo: Studio Kominis.
PlaymoGreek. Playmobil figures in regional costumes. Created by Petros Kaminiotis, 2017. Commissioned by the CMLE for the temporary exhibition “I come from my childhood…”. Photo: Studio Kominis.
PlaymoGreek. Playmobil figures in regional costumes. Created by Petros Kaminiotis, 2017. Commissioned by the CMLE for the temporary exhibition “I come from my childhood…”. Photo: Studio Kominis.
Doll dressed in the urban outfit of Zakynthos. The 18th century women’s costume from Zakynthos, which is preserved in the National Historical Museum, was used as a source for recreating the various parts of the outfit. Garments created by Loula Orfanou (2014). CMLE, Accession No. 15857. Donated by Vassiliki Bakouri-Sideri. Photo: Studio Kominis.
Doll dressed in the urban outfit of Zakynthos. The 18th century women’s costume from Zakynthos, which is preserved in the National Historical Museum, was used as a source for recreating the various parts of the outfit. Garments created by Loula Orfanou (2014). CMLE, Accession No. 15857. Donated by Vassiliki Bakouri-Sideri. Photo: Studio Kominis.
Ceramic jar with detachable lid, in the shape of a woman dressed in the costume from Lesvos. 1970s. CMLE, Accession No. 16578 α-β. Donated by Lefteris Drandakis. Photo: Studio Kominis.
Ceramic jar with detachable lid, in the shape of a woman dressed in the costume from Lesvos. 1970s. CMLE, Accession No. 16578 α-β. Donated by Lefteris Drandakis. Photo: Studio Kominis.
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The enrichment of the CMLE’s collections, with the aim of safekeeping, preserving, utilising and promoting them, has been a constant goal throughout all these years.

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