The Good: Fair sculpt, Vivid coloring, Decent balance
The Bad: No flexibility, Strangely low collectible value.
The Basics: The 2012 Barbie Provencale is a stunningly well-made ornament that for some reason did not reach its audience.
2012 was the final year for the Barbie Hallmark ornaments and blowing out their license, Hallmark Keepsake went all out. In fact, some of the best ornaments in years for the Barbie line were released last year. Arguably the best made Barbie ornament of 2012 was the Barbie Provencale ornament. I was absolutely baffled, though, by the fact that this ornament was one of the ones I could easily find before and after the holidays. I was surprised because the Barbie Provencale ornament was well-made, the only redheaded one last year, and was not from the main Barbie line of ornaments.
For those unfamiliar with them, Barbie dolls have been a leading trademarked doll (and model for unrealistic female bodytypes!) from Mattel for over sixty years. Hallmark Keepsake picked up the Barbie license in order to produce Christmas ornaments and Barbie Provencale is one of several Barbie ornaments produced for 2012!
Basics
The Barbie Provencale ornament recreates the Barbie Provencale doll with Barbie looking like the queen of a manor. She is magnificent and regal looking. The ornament features Barbie with a very elegant look to her. She has a bubble cut haircut and is a redheaded version of the popular doll. This Barbie ornament is 4 1/4" tall and very wide because of the skirt on her dress.
The Hallmark Barbie Provencale ornament is made of a durable plastic and glossy embroidered fabric. The ornament features the icon with a wrap over her shoulders, elegant silver-blue gloves, and her left arm behind her and her right hand on her hip. Her facial expression is a neutral to faintly smiling one. Her bright red lips offset the coppery red hair of the character.
The Barbie Provencale features a silver and blue dress with an ornate pattern that look almost like curtains. The silver-blue gloves on the ornament lend it a very classic beauty queen look. She has bright blue eyeshadow and that raises the level of apparent elegance of the character.
Features
As a Hallmark Keepsake ornament, Barbie Provencale could have a function like a sound chip or light effect, but does not. This is just an ornament, a low-cost (comparatively) option for fans of Barbie. I think it's disappointing that Barbie Provencale does not have any articulation to her limbs. It was well within the abilities of Hallmark to make the ornament articulated at least at the shoulders or neck, but they opted for an ornate statue look for the ornament. At least the cloth and plastic elements blend well.
Balance
As with all ornaments, the intent of the Hallmark Keepsake Barbie Provencale ornament is to be hung on a Christmas Tree. And for those creating the ultimate Barbie Christmas Tree, the Barbie Provencale ornament is a great addition. The ornament has the standard brass hook loop embedded into the top of the character's head. From there, one hangs the ornament and this Barbie ornament is perfectly balanced! Unlike the doll itself, which is almost impossible to get to stand up, the Barbie Provencale ornament has great balance and hangs perfectly!
Collectibility
Hallmark Keepsake began delving into the collectibles market in 1991 with Star Trek when it introduced the exceptionally limited edition original U.S.S. Enterprise ornament (reviewed here!). Since then, they have branched out into every major franchise from Barbie to Gone With The Wind to Twilight. The Barbie Provencale ornament sold surprisingly coldly, despite the fact that it is one of the better in the Barbie ornament line. It remains especially easy to find on the secondary market even after the holiday. If I were betting on it, I would lay good odds that this is one that will eventually become exceptionally sought-after and thus more pricy. It’s not there yet, though!
Overview
The Barbie Provencale ornament is a well-made, well-balanced, exceptionally affordable ornament worthwhile to anyone who loves Barbie dolls or ornaments!
For other Barbie ornament reviews, please check out:
2012 Brava, Ballerina! Barbie
2012 Holiday Celebration Barbie (Black)
2012 Holiday Celebration Barbie (Caucasian)
2012 Matinee Fashion Barbie - Final In The Series!
2012 Tweed Indeed Barbie
2011 Celebration Barbie (Black)
2011 Campus Sweetheart Barbie
2011 Prima Ballerina Barbie ornament
1996 Enchanted Evening Barbie ornament
1995 Barbie Debut (Brunette) - Club Exclusive
1994 Barbie Debut ornament
9/10
For other ornament reviews, please visit my Toy And Ornament Review Index Page for an organized listing!
© 2013 W.L. Swarts. May not be reprinted without permission.
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