This one of a kind doll was made for Joyce West by Johannes G. Frones in 1929. The doll and several sets of clothing including a sailor outfit, lounging pajamas and a logger outfit were made as a gift. The doll, clothes, and accessories are clever in their design; the craftsmanship and attention to detail is extraordinary. The garments feature functioning pockets and buttons; even the belt, suspenders, and pants have working clasps, buttons, and ties. Oly also has his own set of hats, pillows, boots, shoes and other accessories.
Joyce West was born in 1921 and raised by her grandparents, the Plantz, who lived and worked at the Mendocino State Hospital managing the hospital farm. Joyce lived there until 1935 when the family moved to the Central Valley.
According to Joyce's husband the doll was referred to as "the string doll" and his name was "Oly" just like the nickname of the maker, Johannes G. Frones, a resident at the hospital who worked with her grandfather. According to Joyce, Frones "had been a sailor" at some point in his life.
A closer look at the body of the doll shows that it is made from pressed and molded string, the face of the doll features hand embroidered eyes and mouth. Oly's clothing reveal that Frones was skilled at a variety of needlework techniques, including hand sewing, embroidery, crewel, weaving, and knitting. Most of the pieces are hand sewn and many include detailed needlework with Scandinavian motifs. Frones time as a sailor and his recognition of the logging industry in Mendocino County are also reflected in the designs.
An embroidered handkerchief was included with the gift and is signed Johannes G. Frones -Finland -1929. A poetic embroidered note has been roughly transcribed and is believed to say, "1929 from youth in my old age." "from Blomstringar ot si pa min aldir Domisar." The transcriber believed that the note reflected the author was an elderly person who had not lived in their home county for many years.
The Oly doll is not only a delightful example of skilled craftsmanship, it also provides a refection of the life of its maker Johannes G. Frones. In 1998, after cherishing the doll for many years Joyce donated it to the Mendocino County Museum so Oly could be preserved for and shared with generations to come.
To download our free Oly Paperdoll Coloring Pages, view a short video by our curator about Oly, and to find more activities and educational resources please visit the Engage tab of our website.
