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Blossom Doll Martha Holcombe Collection
No full textBlossom Doll Martha Holcombe Collection Series III. Box 3
12” high 7” wide
1981
United States of America
mixed medium of cloth, vinyl, plastic, and porcelain
This doll was created by Martha Holcombe Root. She is a southern artist who creates dolls and figurines of children that she grew up with in the South. Blossom, like Martha’s other dolls and figurines of African –Americans, combine the stereotypical “pickaninny” image of children with exaggerated features such as; large lips, gapped teeth, large noses, and dark complexions; with the features of authentic African-American child. These children come in a variety of body shapes, have lips ranging in colors, have a variety of shapes for their eyes, and have different types of hair textures and hair styles. Though there was a move to create a more authentic representation of African -American children in the 1960’s and beyond, the gapped teeth smiling Blossom doll as well as other dolls and figurines in the Martha Holcombe collection remind you of the stereotypical “pickaninny” post cards from the 1800’s to the 1920’s. Blossom wears a blue and white outfit, including a white apron, which suggests that in the future she may grow up to be a Domestic Worker and take on the stereotypical “Mammy” role.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1017/thumbnail.jp
Aruba Dance Doll
No full textAruba Dance Doll Series IV. Box 4
12” high 6” wide
Unknown Year
Islands
Plastic, vinyl, cloth, and other materials
This doll follows the concept of the generic trademark or eponym “Barbie” fashion doll. This particular doll represents the island dancing culture of Aruba. The doll wears a traditional outfit of a flowing skirt, head piece, and a revealing top. She has a medium brown complexion, medium build, and full, soft, facial features. The body is uncovered so one can see the special movements that the lady does with her body while dancing. This dance is done by the local island women wearing this outfit it is to show the local men that the women are strong and attractive and that the men of the island need not turn to others to find love, or a mate. The doll is given to young girls for them to desire to become this type of woman when they grow up. This doll is also sold to tourist so that others can see the beauty of the women from the island of Aruba.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1032/thumbnail.jp
Stymie Little Rascals Doll
No full textStymie Little Rascals Doll. Series VI. Box 6
15” high 6½” wide
Unknown Year for Creation- Represents 1930\u27s-1950\u27s
United States
mixed medium, cloth, plastic, porcelain, and vinyl
This doll is a representation of “Stymie” a character from the 1930’s to the 1950’s ”Little Rascals” movies and television programs. The “Stymie “character portrayed a stereotypical “jazz man and hustler. The character would do what it took to make money. He was well dressed but did not know quite how to be honest. This image portrayed that African-Americans, even if trying to work and dress well, should not necessarily be trusted. The doll is dressed well, and wears a hat. He is of a medium brown complexion.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1022/thumbnail.jp
Victorian Era Style Doll
No full textVictorian Era Style Doll Series Ix. Box 9
16” high and 8” wide
Unknown Year
Multinational
Cloth, Porcelain, Vinyl, and mixed medium
This doll is a replica of a doll that would be created during the Victorian Era of Europe. This doll follows the tradition of creating the European featured mold with soft features and long wrap around curly hair, then simply painting the skin of the doll with a darker hue to represent an African–American child. The doll wears a traditional Victorian outfit of cape, bonnet, dress, and high black boots. The date that this doll was created is unknown.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1045/thumbnail.jp
Cheer Company Baby Doll
No full textCheer Company Baby Doll Series IV. Box 4
3” high 1½” wide
1988
Multinational
Cloth, Porcelain, Plastic, mixed medium
This doll belongs to the African- American Curio Collection created by the Cheer Collection. This doll was created in 1988 but is a replica of the dolls and figurines of the era of stereotypical dolls with the caricatures of pickaninnies, mammies, and black-face minstrels; which were the image of peoples from the African Diaspora world- wide. The doll is has dark skin, red lips, and bulging eyes.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1053/thumbnail.jp
Crowned Christmas Ornament
No full textCrowned Christmas Ornament Series XI. Box 11
5” high 4” wide
1970
Multinational
Cloth and mixed medium
This doll is a Christmas Ornament made by a multinational company during the 1970’s.This doll is a reflection of mainstream culture during the time period of the 1970’s. The doll is a manufactured doll that has a European mold and then darkened to represent people of other races. This doll, unlike many dolls, used to represent African-Americans, is of a light brown complexion, in order to reflect that African-Americans come in many hues. However, others feel that, due to the dolls nature of representing an angelic being, one must be of a lighter hue, which still assumes stereotypical beliefs of the day.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1063/thumbnail.jp
1950\u27s Baby Doll
No full text1950\u27s Baby Doll Series XI. Box 11
12” high 8” wide
1950
United States
Vinyl, Plastic, Cloth, and mixed medium
This doll is a baby doll that is a combination of features. It has the colorful clothes of a child baby doll, but a domestic servant outfit of a “Mammy” doll. The doll has a medium brown complexion and pink lips. The lips are of a regular size and though her clothes are flowing she is not have a heavy set build. Her checks and hair tend to be more upon the European featured side. This was the often preferred image that the mainstream white culture wanted to have of an African-American domestic servant working in their homes. One was to be considered African- American but have as many European characteristics as possible.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1074/thumbnail.jp
Toaster Cover Doll
No full textToaster Cover Doll Series XI. Box 11
15” high 13” wide
1950
United States
Cloth and mixed medium
This doll is a stereotypical cloth “Mammy” doll that will be put over a toaster. The doll has checked flowing clothes and a head scarf. The doll has a black cloth body. The doll has no facial features to take on the spiritual concepts of traditional spirit dolls only this doll is to hold the spirit of the woman’s whose kitchen it is. This doll would be handed down as a family heirloom.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1073/thumbnail.jp
Dogon Kneeling Female Ancestor Figure
No full textFemale Ancestor Figure
18 1/2 high
Circa 19th Century
Dogon, Mali, West Africa
Wood
A kneeling female figure with a bowl-shaped headpiece and angular features. The eyes are oval-shaped, the nose is arrow-shaped and lead to parallel lips above an angular jaw. The tubular neck leads to angular shoulders with elongated, bent arms resting on the thighs and flanking the bulging abdominal area. The navel is prominent; the figure has bent knees and the feet rest on a circular base.https://dclu.langston.edu/africanartcollection_14_15/1008/thumbnail.jp
Nimba Baga Male Figure
No full textStanding Male Figure
20 high
Circa 19th Century
Baga, Guinea, West Africa
Wood
A standing male figure carved of wood with an elongated head, medial crest, scarification and C-shaped ears. The heavily-lidded eyes flank an elongated nose. The arms extend to support the pointed chin. The abdomen is bulbous with a convex navel. The male genitalia is exposed; the truncated legs stem from a rectangular supporting base. This figure is reminiscent of Nimba (the Baga goddess of motherhood) and may serve as her male counterpart in the powerful Simo society.https://dclu.langston.edu/africanartcollection_14_15/1032/thumbnail.jp