A collection of 25 figures that perpetuate costumes and crafts that today survive only in the universe of folklore and ethnography of the country, asking for a new look at a surprising discovery. All the dolls are numbered and signed by the painters, making each figure a unique object.

THE REEDITION

In 2024, A Vida Portuguesa is proud to present a meticulous reedition of the famous "Bonecos de TOM". Having acquired the rights from the heirs, we received the artist's files with the technical, manufacturing and painting drawing plans and many beechwood figures, more or less finished but still to be painted. Having found a carpenter, a former collaborator of the artist, to complete them and recruiting a range of talented painters, the new TOM dolls are the faithful recreation of the figures of that time, of modern lines, true pieces of retro design but with a forever contemporary charm and originality. A collection of twenty figures which perpetuate costumes and crafts that today only survive in the country's folklore and ethnographic universe, and demanding to be looked at under a new light for a surprising discovery. All dolls are numbered and signed, making each figure a unique object.

THE ARTIST

TOM was born Thomaz de Mello, in Rio de Janeiro in 1906, and arrived in Lisbon at the age of 20. He quickly mixes with the artistic scene and has many talents: he became a gallerist, an illustrator in the press, an advertiser, a product and interior designer, a dealer in international design pieces and, finally, a painter in a long and diverse career that only came to an end with his disappearance in 1990. Between the 30s and 50s, he is one of the main artists that António Ferro, mentor of the "Politics of the Spirit" and propagandist of the Salazar regime, turns to, thus collaborating with the Portuguese Pavilion in the 1937 Exposition Internationale in Paris, at the Portuguese World Exhibition of 1940, in the decoration of the new Pousadas de Portugal, in the creation of the Museum of Popular Art (Lisbon) and, according to legend, he might also be one of the creators of the Galo de Barcelos, a Portuguese icon in the promotion of the country in the 20th century.

THE DOLLS

In 1939, TOM created what would become one of his greatest commercial hits: a collection of hand-painted wooden dolls, representing different regional figures, very much in keeping with the taste of the time and also thinking of the tourists who visited the country. The regional dolls were then very popular internationally, as souvenirs in many countries that were witnessing the rise of the tourism industry. The success of this national version is such that production continues over the years, including new figures and adaptations, whether for Nally perfume bottles or nativity scenes for Loja das Meias. Around 30 years later, in the 60s, he launched a second series, updating the wooden silhouettes into more refined geometric volumes - and often recruiting painters from among Fine Arts students. It's this second series that we now reedit.

Each box contains: 1 doll 1 explanatory leaflet1 certificate of authorship 1 initialling and numbering on the base

Painter: Mariana Albuquerque
Approximate doll weight: 140g
Approximate dimensions: ø 7,5 x 19 cm
Weight box: 614g
Measurements Box: 12 x 10 x 23 cm