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June\u27s Original Collection Plastic New Orleans Doll
No full textJune\u27s Original Collection Plastic New Orleans Doll Series IV. Box 4
10½” high 5” wide
1990
United States
Plastic, cloth, and mixed medium
This doll is a representation of the traditional Creole women of New Orleans. The doll wears an outfit that would be worn in the well-known Mardi Gras Parade. The doll is of medium brown complexion, light make-up, and medium build. The doll was created in the 1990\u27s at a time when people from the African Diaspora wanted dolls that was more of an accurate reflection of the people instead of stereotypes.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1055/thumbnail.jp
Porcelain Mini Baby Doll 1950\u27s
No full textPorcelain Mini Baby Doll 1950\u27s Series XI. Box 11
4½” high and 2½” wide
1950
United States
Cloth, Porcelain, Vinyl, and mixed medium
This doll is a porcelain doll that takes on the traditions of the stereotypical “pickianniny “. The stereotypical child that is the “pickianniny” of dark skin, bulging eyes, red lips, and lots of ribbons in the hair with the hair a little bit wild is represented with this doll. The child is a little bit on the heavy side and female implying that she will be a future “Mammy”.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1075/thumbnail.jp
Songye Kneeling Figure
No full textKneeling Figure
16 high
Circa 19th Century
Songye, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa
Wood, Horn, Leather
A kneeling figure with a disproportionate head and protruding vertical horn. The eyes are demi-lune, the nose broad and blunt and the mouth curved above an angular chin. The shoulders are angular and the arms are bent with broad hands which grasp the bulbous abdomen. The figure kneels on a circular base with the entire composition on a modern base.https://dclu.langston.edu/africanartcollection_14_15/1018/thumbnail.jp
Songye Female Power Figure (Nkishi)
No full textSongye Female Power Figure (Nkishi)
21 3/4 high
Circa 19th Century
Songye, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa
Wood, Metal, Animal Horn, Shells
A standing female power figure (nkishi) with a horn protruding from the center of the head and brass applied throughout the facial area. The figure has oval-shaped eyes, a blunt, flattened nose and curved mouth. The neck is cylindrical, the shoulders rounded and the arms long and bent. The hands are broad and embrace a bulbous abdomen encircled by a string of beads. The knees are bent and end in broad feet which stem from a globular base.
Larger nkishi figures may protect the entire community and mediate between humans and spirits to cure ailments. Many believe that these figures also provide fertility and good fortune. When not in use, the figure is placed in a sanctuary under the care of a guardian.https://dclu.langston.edu/africanartcollection_14_15/1017/thumbnail.jp
Fang Reliquary Guardian Figure Female
No full textReliquary Guardian Figure (Female)
21 high
Circa 19th Century
Fang, Gabon, West Africa
Wood, Metal
A standing female figure used as a reliquary guardian. The figure contains a flaring head piece and a bulbous forehead, the face decorated with copper on the forehead, eyes and circular mouth. The arched eyebrows lead to a flattened nose. A columnar neck stems from broad shoulders with enlarged deltoids. The muscular arms lead to broad hands which rest on the figure\u27s knees. The legs sit in a squatting position and the body is appliqued with copper on the breasts, abdomen and wrists.https://dclu.langston.edu/africanartcollection_14_15/1003/thumbnail.jp
Dan Dance Mask
No full textDance Mask
14 high
Circa 19th Century
Dan, Liberia, West Africa
Wood
A carved wood mask of oval form with a rounded chin, concave face and protruding cylindrical nose. There are small slits for eyes and a closed mouth with pursed lips. Scarification is found throughout the face and rear of the mask.https://dclu.langston.edu/africanartcollection_14_15/1029/thumbnail.jp
Senufo Staff
No full textStaff
20 1/4 high
Circa 19th Century
Senufo, Ivory Coast/Mali, West Africa
Wood, Beads
A female figure stands on the top of a tapered staff. The figure has a heart-shaped face, pointed breasts and a cylindrical neck. The rounded shoulders lead to elongated arms with hands that rest on each side of the abdomen. A belt of red beads encircles the waist of the figure.https://dclu.langston.edu/africanartcollection_14_15/1039/thumbnail.jp
Keaka Ancestor Figure
No full textAncestor Figure
20 1/4 high
Circa 20th Century
Keaka, Cameroon, West Africa
Wood, Pegs, Pigment
A standing figure with a heart-shaped face covered with white pigment. The eyes and nose are brown and the coiffure is defined by a series of pegs inserted into the head. The shoulders are round with bent arms attached; a red skirt with diamond-shaped pegs is attached at the waist. The lower body has heavy legs and wide feet.https://dclu.langston.edu/africanartcollection_14_15/1037/thumbnail.jp
Baule Standing Ancestor Figure (Male)
No full textMale Ancestor Figure
17 high
Circa 20th Century
Baule, Ivory Coast, West Africa
Wood
A standing male ancestor figure with a finely incised coiffure, bulbous eyes, enlarged lips and a braided goatee. The hands rest on each side of the convex navel and under diagonal scarification. The knees are bent and the flat feet rest on a circular base.https://dclu.langston.edu/africanartcollection_14_15/1034/thumbnail.jp
1920 Paper Mache Jointed Doll, European Style
No full text1920 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\u27s 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.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1009/thumbnail.jp