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THE MYSTERY OF THE GRAIN Taken from the Naber Kids Newsletter January 1997 issue
The Wood grain of the parts, especially in the face distinguishes the Naber Kids from most other wooden dolls. While many doll makers preferred not to show the grain, Mr. Naber cherishes those line caused by the seasonal growth of the tree. He uses the pattern as part of his creation to enhance the expression. In early days of doll making, wooden doll faces were painted over covering while also protecting the wood surface. Most artists preferred ash, bass or birch; which is easy to carve. The grain of those trees is barely noticeable. The color is light.
When H.P. Naber carved his first creation "Big Nuni" in 1970 in Alaska he picked a Washington yellow cedar fence post, not knowing what type of wood was most suitable for the carving. The grain of that type of wood is very intense. Soon he learned to use the grain pattern to his advantage. Would he have been a learned expert in the field, he never would have ventured into the world of Grain Mystery!
Personal Opinion--For those of you that are lucky enough to have one doll a Naber Baby Eskimo called Ivan. The Wood Grain is soooo intense on his face and the lines are so pre-dominant that he looks like a little old man with a very wrinkled face. The wood grains curves on his face in such a way to look very much like natural weather beaten wrinkles. This doll is an extradonery piece of art. Kudos to the collectors out there that have Ivan....
P.S. I would like to add something about the grains on these dolls. Many people have seen a line on the back of the leg or arms going in a vertical position and are wondering what that is? It is the mold line that is formed when the limb comes out of the mold. Mostly you don't see a head mold line because the hair covers it and all the information on the doll is placed on the back of the neck so mostly that mold line is hidden. Also, if you see one date on your dolls neck and a different date on the limbs --(as much as 2 years) it's because Mr. Naber re-carves the limbs periodically and when the original kids came out they were created for 1001 days (almost 3 years) that is the difference. Thanks for reading my guide. Diane
The Wood grain of the parts, especially in the face distinguishes the Naber Kids from most other wooden dolls. While many doll makers preferred not to show the grain, Mr. Naber cherishes those line caused by the seasonal growth of the tree. He uses the pattern as part of his creation to enhance the expression. In early days of doll making, wooden doll faces were painted over covering while also protecting the wood surface. Most artists preferred ash, bass or birch; which is easy to carve. The grain of those trees is barely noticeable. The color is light.
When H.P. Naber carved his first creation "Big Nuni" in 1970 in Alaska he picked a Washington yellow cedar fence post, not knowing what type of wood was most suitable for the carving. The grain of that type of wood is very intense. Soon he learned to use the grain pattern to his advantage. Would he have been a learned expert in the field, he never would have ventured into the world of Grain Mystery!
Personal Opinion--For those of you that are lucky enough to have one doll a Naber Baby Eskimo called Ivan. The Wood Grain is soooo intense on his face and the lines are so pre-dominant that he looks like a little old man with a very wrinkled face. The wood grains curves on his face in such a way to look very much like natural weather beaten wrinkles. This doll is an extradonery piece of art. Kudos to the collectors out there that have Ivan....
P.S. I would like to add something about the grains on these dolls. Many people have seen a line on the back of the leg or arms going in a vertical position and are wondering what that is? It is the mold line that is formed when the limb comes out of the mold. Mostly you don't see a head mold line because the hair covers it and all the information on the doll is placed on the back of the neck so mostly that mold line is hidden. Also, if you see one date on your dolls neck and a different date on the limbs --(as much as 2 years) it's because Mr. Naber re-carves the limbs periodically and when the original kids came out they were created for 1001 days (almost 3 years) that is the difference. Thanks for reading my guide. Diane
Guide created: 04/16/09 (updated 10/09/09)
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