Doll
MakerAttributed to
Caroline Wood
American, born about 1875
Date1875-1900
MediumCotton, metal
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width x height): 19 × 2 × 16in. (48.3 × 5.1 × 40.6cm)
ClassificationsEquipment
Credit LineGift of Arlene L. Salvati and Randy J. Smith on behalf of Eva Kelsey Peck Smith
DescriptionHandmade African American doll named Aunt Jemima said to be made by Caroline Wood, late 19th century.
The doll consists of a main fabric head and torso with shaped fabric tubes for the arms and legs. The doll and dress are both sewn by machine, the face of the doll features hand embroidery and applique. The face, torso, arms, and thighs of the doll are constructed from brown fabric. The lower leg is constructed from green check-patterned fabric, and the shoes area of the leg are black fabric. The doll’s hair is black yarn hand-stitched to the head, the yarn covers the back of the hair and hairline, but does not extend out from the crown. The eyebrows and the nose of the doll are embroidered in a stem stitch with black floss. The whites of the doll’s eyes are white fabric appliqued to the face, a metal snap is sewn to each eye to create the appearance of a pupil. To create the mouth of the doll, a red fabric oval has been appliqued to the face, a smile shape is embroidered atop the red oval in stem stitch with red floss. The doll’s dress is red printed cotton with a white, blue, and green floral pattern, it is a wrap-style dress with cream-colored ric rac trim at the neckline and sleeve cuffs. There are manual repairs to the heel and toe of the shoe area of the right leg.
The doll consists of a main fabric head and torso with shaped fabric tubes for the arms and legs. The doll and dress are both sewn by machine, the face of the doll features hand embroidery and applique. The face, torso, arms, and thighs of the doll are constructed from brown fabric. The lower leg is constructed from green check-patterned fabric, and the shoes area of the leg are black fabric. The doll’s hair is black yarn hand-stitched to the head, the yarn covers the back of the hair and hairline, but does not extend out from the crown. The eyebrows and the nose of the doll are embroidered in a stem stitch with black floss. The whites of the doll’s eyes are white fabric appliqued to the face, a metal snap is sewn to each eye to create the appearance of a pupil. To create the mouth of the doll, a red fabric oval has been appliqued to the face, a smile shape is embroidered atop the red oval in stem stitch with red floss. The doll’s dress is red printed cotton with a white, blue, and green floral pattern, it is a wrap-style dress with cream-colored ric rac trim at the neckline and sleeve cuffs. There are manual repairs to the heel and toe of the shoe area of the right leg.
Object number2017.80.1
On View
Not on view
Adabelle Canney Lyon
Mariett Bradley Brockett
Ivelisse Pabón de Landrón
2013 April 26
