Posted 8 years ago
katherines…
(247 items)
So there are a lot of countries in South America. Any clue as to which one produced this figurine? 8 1/2", carved wood, on wood base, unmarked. This may be older than I suspected when I brought her home, the hair looks to be mohair. Her "hat" is wood carved to look like a basket, carrying beans. I just love her, all wrapped in her rebozo over her two cotton print full skirts, but my specially favorite part -- the little behbeh hiding on the back! I hadn't even seen the infant until I got home, thought it was a parcel of some sort! So cute! I hope you enjoyed seeing this doll, and thanks for looking.
MYSTERY SOLVED: This is a Tarahumara figurine made for the tourist trade. Famed for their running abilities, the Tarahumara people, or Raramuri as they call themselves, are native to Mexico, speak their own language, and live in caves and cabins mostly in the Sierra Madre where their way of life has been threatened from the time of the first Spanish and Jesuit incursions, later by logging of their forests, and now by drug cartels and modernization. They live mostly by agriculture but have become increasingly dependent on tourism, including making and selling artesanias that appeal to sightseers, like this wonderful doll.
I, too, love the little AKACHAN ("baby" in Japanese) best about this wonderful figurine. Upon first glimpse, I thought Peruvian. [;>)
Thanks for the love, NevadaBlades, TassieDevil, fortapache. :)
NB, glad to know we are in sync about the little one. :) I don't think Peruvian, they tend to create their dolls from felt and thread. This one is rough hewn wood. I wondered if it might not be Guatemalan? Perhaps someone here will know for sure. :)
So wonderful!
I know zero about these sorts of dolls. They're quite cute!
Awwwwesome :-D
Your thought was correct...Guatemala.
CanyonRoad, you are a blessing to this forum, thank you, greatly appreciated. By the way, you are wanted on a thread about a pot, I bounced it to the top of the splash page with your name in the comment. :)
Thanks for the love, mikelv85, racer4four, jscott0363, Efesgirl, brunswick, kivatinitz, Manikin, kyratango, and Vintageforever. :)
Karen, thanks, she is rather wonderful. :)
Bonnie, I know zero about them, too, but yes I think she is a cutie. :)
Thanks, kyratango, loving the awwwwwesome! :)
And of course, thanks again, CanyonRoad, for confirming my theory. :)
CanyonRoad, it appears we were both mistaken. These dolls are Tarahumara artesania. Famed for their running abilities, the Tarahumara people, or Raramuri as they call themselves, are native to Mexico, speak their own language, and live in caves and cabins mostly in the Sierra Madre where their way of life has been threatened from the time of the first Spanish and Jesuit incursions, later by logging of their forests, and now by drug cartels and modernization. They live mostly by agriculture but have become increasingly dependent on tourism, including making and selling artesanias that appeal to sightseers, like this wonderful doll.
I agree, Tarahumara. Sorry for the hasty conclusion. I at least can blame it on attempting to respond from a hospital bed, based on the small photo on my phone...and a cloudy mind from surgery and drugs! I'm home, feeling better, and have hopefully learned a lesson...no more posting under those conditions.
Sorry to hear you were in hospital, CanyonRoad, hope you are sorted now. Be well, my friend.