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Hand-Made Mammy Mop Doll
No full textHand-Made Mammy Mop Doll. Series IX. Box 9
19” high and 15” wide
Unknown year Date
United States
Cloth
This doll was made out of rags and a mop head. It has the traditional “Mammy “look of a heavy set dark complexion woman wearing a red scarf on her head, an, apron, and a colorful outfit. This doll also follows the tradition of women making dolls for their children for materials that were available. This doll also conveys that the future of most girls in the era the doll were made, were more than likely end up as some type of domestic servant.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1024/thumbnail.jp
Old Crow Mammy Doll Bust
No full textOld Crow Mammy Doll Bust. Series IX. Box 9
9” high and 11½” wide
Unknown Date
United States
Cloth and other mixed mediums
The “Old Crow” “mammy” dolls were used to scare birds away from fields or sometimes used in homes to scare children away from the cookie jar or the breadbox. This doll is a combination of the “mammy”, blackface, and “pickaninny” traditions. The doll has dark skin, large red lips, bulging eyes, and a bright red outfit with a red headpiece. It appears that the doll is wearing an apron over her clothes and her head piece is really just a red rag.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1028/thumbnail.jp
1970\u27s Baby Doll
No full text1970\u27s Baby Doll Series XI. Box 11
13” high 9” wide
1970
United States
Mixed Medium, Plastic, Cloth, Vinyl
This doll is a combination of a European and African -American facial featured doll. The doll was created at a time when African-Americans began to want dolls that were a more accurate representation of African-American people versus the trending dolls of African-Americans in a stereotypical out fit and look of dark skin, red lips and exaggerated features. This doll is of medium brown complexion, light lips and soft facial features. The dolls cheekbones, eyes, and hair, may be considered more on the European side. The doll wears a blue calico dress, a style popular during the 1970’s. The doll was sold to young girls to promote motherhood.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1039/thumbnail.jp
Older Doll Hanger
No full textOlder Doll Hanger Series V. Box 5
13” high 4” wide
1900\u27s to 1980
Multinational
Cloth, Plastic, Wood, mixed mediums
This Doll Hanger is a doll hanger that was a stereotypical image of a woman from the islands, including wearing a basket on her head. However, Doll Hangers are used by a variety of people who practice African and Voodoo religions and are used as displays or to put herbs in for specific rituals. It is not quite clear when the doll was made but it reflects a time period of when this style of Doll Hanger was made in the 1900\u27s to 1980.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1044/thumbnail.jp
1950\u27s Coconut Created Dolls
No full text1950\u27s Coconut Created Dolls Series X. Box 10
A is 4½” high and 5½” wide B is 4½” high and 4½” wide
1950
Islands
Coconuts, cloth, and mixed medium
These dolls follow the traditions of island artist who make dolls with items that are available to them. Islands often have coconuts so these dolls were made from this material. The dolls were made to appear to be what young island girls of color would look like. The dolls combine stereotypical features of big eyes and make-up; however, they do not have exaggerated facial features and extremely dark skin.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1050/thumbnail.jp
Infant Baby in Polka Dots
No full textInfant Baby in Polka Dots Series XI. Box 11
7½” high and 5½” wide
This doll is a combination of a European and African -American facial featured doll. The doll was created at a time when African-Americans began to want dolls that were a more accurate representation of African-American people versus the trending dolls of African-Americans in a stereotypical out fit and look of dark skin, red lips and exaggerated features. This doll is of medium brown complexion, light lips and soft facial features. The dolls cheekbones, eyes, and hair, may be considered more on the European side.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1071/thumbnail.jp
Collectible Vinyl Doll
No full textCollectible Vinyl Doll Series XI Box 11
7½” high and 5½” wide
United States
Vinyl, Plastic, Cloth, and mixed medium
This doll comes from the tradition of New Orleans where African - Americans had certain looks that related to the field of music, the images of the Islands, and the religions of Catholics and Voodoo Spirits. This doll has the tradition of colorful carnival clothes and make up that represent Mardi Gras and the Catholic and Voodoo combination religions.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1076/thumbnail.jp
Barbados Mammy Doll
No full textBarbados Mammy. Doll Series III Box 3
15” high 11½” wide
1990
Islands
Cloth
This island tourist doll is created in the image of the African-American Mammy. She is made with black cloth, bright red lips, large white iris eyes, and a medium body frame. She wears bright color flowing clothes, a large head dress piece, large earrings,and a white apron. A basket of fruit is sitting beside her. This stereotypical image of island women was accepted as an authentic representation of island women and was sold as such for many years.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1015/thumbnail.jp
Shadow Doll
No full textShadow Doll Series XI. Box 11
15” high and 10½” wide
1980\u27s
Unknown Place
Mixed Medium Sheared Cloth Material
This doll is a doll that is called a Shadow Doll. It is made of sheared cloth material. The dolls face is made of black cloth material and has no distinct facial features. She appears to wear a flowing dress and a head wrap piece. This doll was used for a toy for children but could also be used as a spiritual doll that can be used in spiritual ceremonies for those who practice traditional African Religions and for those who practice African or island Voodoo religions.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1025/thumbnail.jp
African-American Princess Imani
No full textAfrican-American Princess Imani by Avon .Series X. Box 10
12” high and 2½” wide
1994 representing various time periods
United States
Mixed medium, plastic, vinyl, and cloth
This doll was created to represent the African- American female for those African -Americans who did not know from what parts of Africa that their ancestors came. The doll uses a generic Kente cloth to represent Africa instead of a specific country. Kente cloth is from the Ashanti peoples of Ghana. The doll is given the status of royalty to denote that African Americans came from royalty and should be proud of their African Diaspora heritage. The doll wears a head piece as a covering of the head, which is a common practice for women in Africa. The doll is of medium brown complexion, a medium build, and has soft facial features. This doll was created in order to create an accurate representation of the female figure from the African-American Community. This doll was created by the Avon Corporation to help promote a positive image of African –Americans both for the African American community and the mainstream American community at large.https://dclu.langston.edu/eflewisdollcollection/1027/thumbnail.jp