Articulated dolls are figures designed with joints that allow their body parts to move and be posed in various positions.
Based on the provided reference, articulation is defined as the ability of a doll to move one or more of its body parts in an extended position independently away from the doll body and maintain such position in a pose. Therefore, articulated dolls are those figures that possess this capability.
Understanding Articulation in Dolls
The core feature of an articulated doll lies in its joint structure. Unlike static dolls or those with limited movement (like simple swivel joints), articulated dolls are engineered to replicate the natural movement range of limbs and other body parts.
Key aspects of articulation, as highlighted in the reference, include:
- Independent Movement: Each articulated body part (like an arm, leg, or head) can be moved on its own, separate from other parts.
- Extended Positioning: The joints allow the part to move away from the main body, not just rotate against it.
- Maintaining Pose: Once a body part is moved into a desired position, the joint mechanism allows it to hold that position firmly, enabling the doll to maintain a pose without falling or returning to a resting state.
The Purpose of Articulation
The primary benefit of articulation is the enhanced poseability it provides. Dolls with multiple points of articulation can be positioned in a wide variety of realistic or dynamic stances, making them highly desirable for collectors, photographers, or imaginative play. The number and type of articulated joints can vary significantly between different dolls, ranging from simple elbow or knee joints to complex systems involving wrists, ankles, torso, and even fingers.
Examples of dolls known for their articulation include ball-jointed dolls (BJD) and many modern action figures, all of which are designed specifically to leverage articulation for dynamic posing and display.
