Fabric doll
Category
Dolls
Date
1960 - 1961
Materials
Fabric doll
Measurements
136 mm (width); 342 mm (height); 53 mm (depth)
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 663506
Summary
A cloth 'golliwog' doll, purchased in Britain, c.1960. A stuffed fabric doll, with short black hair of wool or artificial yarn, stitched on red woven ribbon for the mouth, and blue and white felt eyes. The arms terminating in white caps (presumably to represent gloves), the legs in white bands (socks) and red feet (shoes). The doll wearing a red and white striped cotton dress, gathered at the waist, with capped sleeves. The dress with printed red, yellow, blue and green flower pattern and folk dancers. Parts of the doll marked by age; a split in the seam present in the proper right arm. The Golliwogg character was created by American-born illustrator Florence Upton, in a series of British children’s books which she co-authored with her mother Bertha Upton. The character was not copyrighted, and ‘golliwog’ or 'golly' dolls based on it became popular toys in Britain from the late 19th to the mid-20th century. Upton based the character on a doll from her own childhood which was bought in the United States in the 1880s and which was likely to have been inspired by minstrel entertainers who performed in blackface. The dolls share many characteristics associated with minstrelsy and racist caricatures of Black people, including exaggerated hair, lips and painted black skin. Traditional golliwogs also have outfits similar to minstrel performers, usually including bowties and tailcoats. This female version wears a red striped cotton dress.
Provenance
Donated to the Museum of Childhood by Mrs Constance Bailey in April 2010.