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Description
1920 Paper Mache Jointed Doll European Collection. Series I, Box 1
7” high and 5” wide
1920
Multinational
Paper Mache
In the 19th century, European doll companies preceded American doll companies in manufacturing black dolls. These were made of porcelain or Paper Mache. Paris and Germany were the first to make black dolls. The companies used a European featured doll mold and then painted the skin darker to represent people from the African Diaspora. Gradually American doll companies followed suit. This doll from the 1920's follows this tradition and is made of Paper Mache, with European features, and dark brown complexion skin. Paper Mache is more affordable, but not strong enough to stand up to the eroding environment, such is the case with this doll.
Keywords
Collectibles, African-American, Africa, Art, History