The Noush doll is a much-loved South African design, and after time out of production it has returned. We’re thrilled to have it back on our shelves.
Noush is the work of designer Manoushka Kraal, inspired by the Clonette doll. The Clonette first appeared in Ghana in the 1950s and became one of the most loved dolls on the continent. People often gave it as a gift to watch over someone special, a kind of guardian angel. Over the years the Clonette came to be made in plastic. Noush takes it back to its roots: each design starts as a hand-carved Jacaranda wood original. From that original a mould is made and the piece is cast in resin, and each doll is then hand-painted by skilled artisans in the Noush workshop in Durban.
The result is part sculpture, part talisman. Each doll is elegant and a little quirky, with a tall sculpted hairstyle, a pout of gold or red lips, and a companion held close.
We look for things that feel as special as a beautiful bouquet, and Noush dolls fit right in. They’re handmade in South Africa, they’re beautifully finished, and they carry the gifting spirit of the Clonette: something to watch over someone you love. Their black, white and gold palette sits well alongside flowers, so a Noush doll is a lovely partner for a bouquet. Flowers make the moment, and a Noush doll stays long after the last petal falls. They make an ideal gift for a new baby, a birthday, a thank-you, or a little luxury for your own home.
