 Tom Francirek & Andre Oliveira Dolls Our 15th Anniversary Show in 1997 was Tom and Andre’s first store show appearance in the U.S. ever! We knew they were rising stars. Tom’s artistic involvement began in the late 1980’s at Tussaud’s Wax Museum. Here, he learned the age old tradition & the lost art of wax figure making from the early stage of sculpting to the final stages of inserting human hair by a single strand. In 1995, Andre joined Tom as his assistant and they soon formed a partnership. Although these artists have been creating dolls for years, avid collectors have been buying them before they ever hit the market! It is for this reason that their work didn't really become available until 1997. The wax dolls they produced sold from $6,000.00 usd and up and they usually produced only 4-6 one-of-a-kind wax dolls and 2 different porcelain dolls yearly. Remember to notice the attention to detail in the painting of the eyes, the beautiful handmade mohair wigs and the 100% natural fibers which adorn all their dolls.
It has been a true privilege to have
had Tom and Andre participate in our annual shows for almost 2 decades. From the very beginning, their elegant dolls
attracted a loyal following with collectors, in large part due
to the quality, artistry and beauty of their designs. They
work tirelessly at perfecting their craft, which is evident in
every piece that leaves their studio.
Their vast knowledge of fabrics, style and appreciation for all things
beautiful is unsurpassed. They have accumulated an extensive collection
of antique laces over the years. When modern fabrics are incorporated
into their costuming, only the finest silks, cottons and embroidered
French laces are used. Antique laces, vintage milliner’s trims, and
antique silk flowers are used to embellish and adorn each of their
creations. Now their porcelain editions are very
small and usually range from 10 to 15 pieces. However, when
collectors purchase a “Francirek & Oliveira” edition piece, each is
essentially a one of a kind. No two pieces are alike, as each
edition piece has a uniquely designed gown as well as hair color and/or
style. Only the finest angora mohair or human hair is used in the creation of
their wigs. Eyes are painstakingly painted by hand with multiple
fires to achieve a very realistic look. The ladies and girls they create,
all have the Francirek signature portrait painted eyes that not only
gives them a life-like look but also a very dreamy and romantic feel. |