Name: Oil-Painted Cloth Lancaster Co. PA Doll Family
Made by and When: C. Johnson/S. Haynes, 1989
Material: Cotton fabric, synthetic hair, paint, stuffing
Marks: C. Johnson / S. Haynes / 1989 / Lancaster Co. Pa.
Height: 18, 12, and 3-1/4 inches
Hair, Eyes, and Mouths: The two larger dolls have multiple spiral curls accented with cloth rag ties at the ends; the smallest doll has black Afro-textured hair that frames the head. The hand-painted facial features of the larger dolls are realistic. The smallest doll has a painted ragdoll face.
Clothing: The two larger dolls wear cotton floral-print dresses and muslin pantaloons, and have black cloth bodies and feet. The largest doll has a heart-shaped stuffed fabric necklace. The 12-inch (mid-sized) doll wears a muslin apron. The smallest doll wears a burgundy and tan gingham dress.
Other: These handcrafted Lancaster Co. PA dolls have oil-painted cloth faces and may be a modern rendition of the 19th century Lancaster Rag black dolls one of which is described in a past Theriault’s auction as, “American, 1890, the doll is known as Lancaster Rag in deference to the Lancaster, Pennsylvania location where most existing similar dolls have been found, possibly made by family members of Lancaster artist Charles Demuth whose mother was known for her fine needlework. One Lancaster Rag Doll has been located with an attached note stating that it was purchased from the Ladies Repository which was founded to allow ‘women of good character who had come upon hard times’ to make a living from their needlework skills.”
A hang tag from The Carriage House, “[purveyers] of fine gifts and collectibles” in Highspire, PA, is attached to the two larger dolls shown in this installation.
Gallery
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