A foray into jig dolls

Having made a jig doll as a raffle prize for an event last year I decided that it would be fun to make some more

Our first Jig Doll

First of all for those that have not come across jig dolls before they are a figure usually constructed from wood, they have loosely jointed arms and legs which can swing freely. A rod is attached to the back of the doll so that it can be held and operated. It is usually used with a thin flexible board one end of which is anchored by sitting on it, the doll stands on the far end of the board. By striking the board and manipulating the rod the doll can be made to dance in a rather ludicrous manner, The figure may be man or beast only limited by the makers imagination (I currently have a list of ideas as long as an elephants trunk, Ah there is another idea, an elephant jig doll I will add it to the list ).

My first Jig Doll was simply constructed with the head and body cut from a single piece of softwood plank, the arms and legs are also cut from softwood.

Our latest jig dolls are rather less 2D

Not that 2D is a problem, many jig dolls are made like that it is just that It’s just not what i want to make.

The body is constructed from jelutong an easily worked asian hardwood. A bought in hardwood ball was used to make the head and the hat was turned from jelutong.

Arms and legs are both made from laminated 3mm plywood with 0.75mm plywood spacers to allow the lower led to rotate freely.

Another sailor

When it comes to these sort of things you can’t go far wrong with a sailor.

Business man

A businessman who looks so happy with his lot that I am sure he would dance given the opportunity.

When he is going for it there is a definite air of the ministry of silly walks about him

And next…

I started this one from the top. This is what every well dressed viking is wearing this season.

To be continued in another post