Condition & Treatment Report: Cuddly Blue Dragon
** Below text and/or photographs have been excerpted from the original report (PDF can be found here), which is more thorough and complete than what you see here. **
Above: Cuddly Blue Dragon as advertised.
Above: Cuddly Blue Dragon prior to treatment.
Object:
A blue, plush, dragon toy currently in the private collection of artist, Nina Caporale. Known as “Cuddly Blue Dragon Speak/Repeat Plush Animal” (to be referred to simply as ‘Cuddly Blue Dragon’ elsewhere in this report), this object was designed and manufactured circa 2019 (approximately) by Cupcakes and Cartwheels, a division of Two’s Company, out of Elmsford New York 10523. Tags further indicate REG.NO PA-18405 (HK) 0501207 0919, and compliance with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Treatment dates:
March 8, 2021 – March 10, 2021
Outside Measurements :
Side to Side = 4 inches. Front to Back = 10 inches. Top to Bottom = 8 inches
Materials & Existing Conditions:
The materials are described as 100% polyester in the product specifications. A non-aided visual examination confirms the presence of synthetic plush textile materials stuffed with polyester fiberfill. There are remnants of some (now missing) electronic components within a plastic housing, of which only a fractured polyester disc and a broken zip-tie remain (likely a retention device meant to secure the plush cover over its internal electronic components). There is also a broken plastic nub or stub in the position of one eye socket.
Non-aided visual examination also confirms compression and/or abrasion damage to external plush fibers in some areas, as well as an overall layer of dust, presumed to be dried mud and dirt. There is a minor cut or tear in the polyester felt of the dragon’s tongue, and a gap along the seam between neckline and forearm on the right side. Additional cuts and/or tears in the textile are likely to become apparent following a cleaning treatment, in part because the fiberfill will have been removed by that time and the textile will be turned inside out for further examination and mending. The primary reason is that the plush (and a layer of dirt) obscures visibility of such cuts or tears from the exterior. Lastly, there are bits of twigs or leafy matter suspended in the polyester fiberfill where those materials are presently exposed.
History of the Object:
This object was acquired by Nina Caporale on or around January 10, 2021, entirely by chance discovery. It was found on the ground surface of a parking lot at 4205 Red Bank Road in Cincinnati Ohio in a damaged and discarded state. This object’s specific history prior to acquisition is unknown.
Research confirms this product has been available at retail from such vendors as Walmart, QVC, and Amazon since at least 2019. The “Cuddly Blue Dragon Speak/Repeat Plush Animal” was designed and manufactured by Cupcakes and Cartwheels, a division of Two’s Company, out of Elmsford New York 10523, but is not currently listed on the Two’s Company wholesale website. Therefore it is presumed to be a discontinued product at this time. Product descriptions elsewhere suggest there had been a listening and speaking functionality embedded in the electronics, which was designed to repeat back to a child any words or phrases spoken in its vicinity, as well as some corresponding movement functions designed to animate the dragon’s head and/or jaw.
Purpose of Treatment:
Treatment of this object is undertaken to stabilize its condition, as well as to alter its use by making the object suitable for handling and public display as a hand-puppet. As part of this treatment regimen, existing polyester fiberfill contents are to be largely removed and replaced, holes in the plush textile are to be mended, and a knit lining material is to be added internally as a means to facilitate future use as a hand-puppet. The felt tongue will be removed, replicated, and replaced, as well. This treatment regimen will not include replacing the dragon’s eyes at this time, because suitable materials will need to be sourced and/or manufactured.
Converting this object to a hand-puppet will necessitate some reconstruction of the object’s internal structure, starting from where the electronic components once resided, and extending upwards into the head and jaw area. This reconstruction will not only guide the insertion of a hand to the appropriate position within the object for performative animations, it will prevent any new fiberfill from being easily removed or displaced by its intended use as a puppet. Prior to undertaking this reconstruction, but following removal of most of its existing fiberfill, the object will be gently washed in order to lift and remove dust, dirt, and debris from the remaining/existing materials.
Above: Details of mended areas as seen from the interior (object is turned inside out). On the left, the left side of the tail. In the center, the right side of face and body. On the right, the belly above the left leg.
Above: Details of the very same mended areas as seen from the exterior (object is turned right-side out). On the left, the left side of the tail. In the center, the right side of face and body, including where the seam had been gaping between the neckline and right forearm. On the right, the belly above the left leg.
Above: The new lining material fully assembled, with hand inserted for illustration purposes.
Above: Demonstration of lining material as placed inside the Cuddly Blue Dragon (with hand inserted) prior to replacement of any fiber fill.
Above: The fiber fill has been replaced and the seam around the new lining material has been fully closed. Note the three sections of pillow-like loft around the opening where the electronic components once resided.
Above: Cuddly Blue Dragon at the conclusion of this treatment regimen.
** Above text and/or photographs have been excerpted from the original report (PDF can be found here), which is more thorough and complete than what you see here. **