doll, female

doll, female

doll, female

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Introduction

A female doll wearing clothing identifiable as late 18th-century Haudenosaunee/Hodenosaunee dress. In 1887 it was transferred to the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology from the Cambridge University Library and may possibly have been brought to England in 1814 by the H.M.S. Rosamond.

Nation of Maker: Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

Based on carving style and clothing worn by the doll.

Date Made or Date Range: 1760 to 1850
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Museum documentation and the GRASAC research team.

Materials

wood; beige linen cloth; dark blue stroud (skirt) and coarser woolen cloth (leggings); passementerie in red and beige; glass beads in white and black; native tanned hide; twined hemp or linen.

Techniques or Format

The doll is made of wood, and carved. The garters, belt, and bag at the doll's back waist are loom woven beadwork; the waist belt, wrist cuffs, and garter appear to be made using hide thong warps and commercial twined linen or hemp wefts. The shirt is sewn tunic-style with seams sewn to the waist and open below, set in sleeves. The skirt is wrapped single panel and the leggings are seamed up the sides with beaded designs on the outer flaps. The moccasins are one piece construction with centre seams on vamps and seams on heels. The upper legs are wrapped with red and beige coarsely woven printed cloth. Each of the earlobes has three holds pierced for earrings. Holes in the crown of the head may have been used to attach hair.

Motifs and Patterns

Zig-zag and domed lines.

Condition: Good
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

The style of the carved face is reminiscent of 18th century clubs. The skirt, with its undyed selvage used decoratively is typical of late eighteenth and early nineteenth century clothing. The beaded bag attached at the back under the shirt resembles beaded bags and belts attributable to the late 18th century in Blair Castle and the Marischal Museum, Aberdeen and the bold zig-zags and domed motifs on the leggings and skirt also resemble late eighteenth century collections.

Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 1887.76.5
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1887
Collection Narratives and Histories

In 1887 it was transferred to the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology from the Cambridge University Library and may possibly have been brought to England in 1814 by the H.M.S. Rosamond.

GKS Reference Number: 25625
How to Cite this Item

Unknown Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee artist, doll, female. Currently in the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 1887.76.5. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip May 2009; GRASAC item id 25625.

Record Creation Context

This record was created as part of a GRASAC research trip to Cambridge University's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, May 4-9 2009.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

Participants: Trudy Nicks, Laura Peers, Alison Brown, Sherry Farrell-Racette, Rachel Hand, Ruth Phillips, Stacey Loyer, and Amber Berson.

Approximate Place of Origin

43.0703, -80.1184