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Posted 9 years ago
WAAtkins
(1 item)
This Native American doll was found when I was gathering up possessions for my mother's estate after her death. I have never seen it before -- did not knew she and Dad even had it. It is approximately 13 inches (33 centimeters) tall with cloth clothing and leather-like fringe. It is all sewn. Hair appears to be cloth, and face and feet feel like a spongy substance. The material that makes the feet were sewn (I can see the threads.) Hands are similar to the leather fringe. The doll appears to be very old. I’m guessing it was a doll during my grandfather’s era (my Dad’s dad, who was born in 1872). The doll appears to be very fragile but everything looks to be attached firmly. I am hoping I can find someone who knows something about it -- who can give me more details about it, when it was made, who made it, etc. I've added a back view, per a request, along with views of the feet and back of the head. Thank you for any help you can provide me.
I've heard of early/ancient native American baby rattles going for upward a million dollars. A rare baby article that would probably deteriorate or get lost over time I think would make them a rarity. I would tend to want to keep that in a safe place if I where you.
One or more of the experts in Native American wares may come by and drop a comment on this thread, for myself, I'd also want to have this looked at, if you have a Natural History museum locally, or someone at your local university, perhaps you can locate someone specializing in antiquities online though that can be a sketchy proposition. Good luck. :)
I do not believe this doll was made by a Indian . Indian beading is perfect even when a child beads . Also sewing machine made clothes . I can not tell what face is made of by photo . It looks much like a apple head ? Do you think you can show feet and back of head please .
I am fairly sure it it is a Applehead doll I would date more into 30-40's by clothes . These were novelty dolls and a folk art and It is believed that the Seneca Indians were the first to make dolls from apples. The craft was later adopted by the mountain folk of Appalachia. Today, applehead dolls remain a popular folk art of the Appalachian region .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FDViQ0Mu0k
Feet are made of white kid leather common in dolls bodies in late 1800s-1900s and the face does it have same texture ?
In response to "Manikin", the face is a dark tan color (and blotchy), while the feet are an off-white (more uniform in color). A small tear in the face shows black underneath, maybe the same material as the hair (?). Both the face and feet are a spongy feel, but I'd say "no" -- they're not of the same material; unless, they ARE the same material and they've worn differently. Not sure? It appears there is a spongy filling under both and an outside material covers each.
I am going to back step on date a bit after seeing feet . Early 1900s doll but still not sure it was made by Indians or a doll made to look like a Indian . Very Nice Piece !
I'm not sure it is an apple head doll, after looking at some on the Web. Wouldn't it be a dried apple all the way through. The tear on the left side of the face shows black underneath. Not sure? I just wrote to a couple of national Native American museums (and sent these images) to see if they know anything about it.
It is not a apple head doll after you explained the black fabric under face I would say it is leather kid leather applied to front of face that was handled more and or tinted with some type of dye from a plant. The feet are differently kid leather . It was made likely from scraps they found for face and feet . And it can have a spongy feel to it .
I'd forgotten that about the beads, Manikin, thanks for the reminder. I'll be curious to hear what the Native American museums tell you about the doll, WAAtkins. Please keep us updated. :)
That was meant to say"definitely kid" darn auto correct .