DOLL & MIRANDA

Punka was born on a rubber plantation in Malaya. His family’s fortunes grew with the burgeoning auto industry but deflated as the depression of the 30s hit. The family returned to the UK and in his 20s Punka felt the pull of SE Asia again. He returned with his new wife. They travelled out separately, Punka leaving first for work followed by Mimi who was just 21. Her boat finally docked a month and a half later. In 1949 their daughter Christie was born. Punka continued  to travel for work and Christie was sent to boarding school in England. This was her doll, hand made in Malaya in the mid 50s. When Christie had her own daughter, the doll migrated from her room to Miranda’s. The doll is 60 years old this year. She is slightly threadbare and floppy, but she has always felt old and delicate. Miranda says, for anyone who picks up the doll, it’s impossible not to be gentle.

28 Oct 2012