Can you help?

Sarah Klopf, a conservation intern at RAMM, would like your help in identifying the purpose of this curious wax model of a small girl surrounded by fruit, flowers, small figures and sheep which is part of the Decorative Arts Collection in the museum in Exeter.  Research has not produced clear results so far. Do you have anything similar in your collection or could you give us any further information about waxworks like this?

The object was acquired by the museum in 1925 from a lady called Mrs. Storrs, who was resident in Bovey Tracy at that time. 

The portrait itself and all the surrounding decoration are in a wooden box which measures 55,5 cm x 64,5 cm, with a glass fronted lid. The materials used were coloured wax for the small figures, the portrait and the fruit, textiles for the hair, lace, frame and backing, and coated paper for the leaves and flowers.  There are also various other materials like mica and iron wire. The workmanship is very elaborate and detailed, making it easy to identify, for example, the type of flowers and fruits depicted. 

The dating of this object is difficult. The costume of the central figure suggests a date between the late 17th and the early 18th century, whereas the use of cotton for some of the textile material would point to a later date around the middle of the 18th century.

Suggestions for a possible purpose of this work include a portrait, although the execution is very unusual, or a memorial portrait of some sort. It could also be related to English seasonal customs like Wassailing or Mayday celebrations. There were traditions in the north where dolls in boxes were carried from door to door for Wassailing and the same custom was used during Mayday celebrations in the south. There are also Italian and German works which have some parallels.

We would be very happy to receive any information you can give us. Please contact:
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