Antique Black Cloth Doll, Austin, Texas Collection
United States
Last quarter of the 19th century
Cloth, paint, hair, textile clothing
Height 20 in (50.8 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Austin, TX
This antique black cloth doll, well over 125 years old, is a one of a kind handmade object combining a painted cloth face with expressive features, applied hair, and a carefully constructed period costume in cream and red fabric. Cloth dolls of this type were made by hand throughout the United States in the late nineteenth century, and examples depicting Black figures are among the most historically significant and sought after in American folk art and doll collecting. The quality of the face painting and the preservation of the original clothing make this an unusually intact example of the type.
Handmade Black cloth dolls of the late nineteenth century occupy an important place in the material history of race, craft, and domestic life in America, and well-preserved examples with original clothing are increasingly difficult to find in the private market. The Austin, Texas provenance is consistent with the movement of American folk art and antique dolls through the Southwest collector market. At 20 inches this is a substantial doll with strong presence.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Antique Black Cloth Doll, Austin, Texas Collection
United States
Last quarter of the 19th century
Cloth, paint, hair, textile clothing
Height 20 in (50.8 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Austin, TX
This antique black cloth doll, well over 125 years old, is a one of a kind handmade object combining a painted cloth face with expressive features, applied hair, and a carefully constructed period costume in cream and red fabric. Cloth dolls of this type were made by hand throughout the United States in the late nineteenth century, and examples depicting Black figures are among the most historically significant and sought after in American folk art and doll collecting. The quality of the face painting and the preservation of the original clothing make this an unusually intact example of the type.
Handmade Black cloth dolls of the late nineteenth century occupy an important place in the material history of race, craft, and domestic life in America, and well-preserved examples with original clothing are increasingly difficult to find in the private market. The Austin, Texas provenance is consistent with the movement of American folk art and antique dolls through the Southwest collector market. At 20 inches this is a substantial doll with strong presence.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
