Category Archives: OOAK black dolls

Cernit Dolls by Sarah Niemela

Name: Dolls by Sarah Niemela (Aisha, a doll with a doll, and Tinashe*) Made by and When: Sarah Niemela, 2021 Material: Cernit (a modeling clay) Marks: Hand-signed by the artist with the year made on a signature strip attached to the dolls’ waist in the back Height: 8 inches (unjointed) Hair, Eyes, Mouth: The artistContinue reading “Cernit Dolls by Sarah Niemela”

Nalah and Rudy by Lorna Miller (Sands)

Name: Nalah and Rudy Made by and When: Lorna Miller (Sands), early-to-mid 1990s Material: Super Sculpey or mixed media reinforced with steel and cloth for Nalah’s rag doll Marks: The taller doll is clearly marked Nalah Toridan with a trademark on the back of the neck. The smaller doll is marked on the back ofContinue reading “Nalah and Rudy by Lorna Miller (Sands)”

Emmet

Name: Emmet Made by and When: Starkey’s Daughter Cloth Dolls, 2018 Material: Wool-blend (face, arms, and legs); cotton-blend (head and torso); all stuffed with polyfil Marks: Signed and dated by the artist Height: 20 inches (without the hat) 22 inches (with the hat) Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Dark brown fleece hair/painted facial features with light brown eyes, smilingContinue reading “Emmet”

William Thomas Jr., aka Buckwheat

Name: William Thomas Jr., aka Buckwheat of “The Little Rascals”  Made by and When: Rachel McCullough Sherrod of Starkey’s Daughter Cloth Dolls, 2020 Material: Wool-blend felt (face, arms, and legs); cotton-blend (head and torso) Marks: Signed by the artist Height: 16 inches without the hat; close to 18 inches with the hat Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Black fleeceContinue reading “William Thomas Jr., aka Buckwheat”

Doll Diorama Tribute to Ruth Manning

Name: Doll Diorama Tribute to Ruth Manning Made by and When: Debbie Garrett, 2012 Description: This diorama (a model representing a scene with three-dimensional objects) was created in tribute to doll enthusiast, Ruth Manning, who lost her battle with cancer in 2012. The diorama is fashioned after a photo of Ruth that was taken inContinue reading “Doll Diorama Tribute to Ruth Manning”

Sho’ White Barbie

Photographs courtesy of Stephen Sumner Name: Sho’ White Barbie Made by and When: Mattel, designed by Stephen Sumner in 2007 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches Designer’s Description: Sho’ White is wearing a ruffled collared top with sheer puffed sleeves layered under a satin bustier.  Over this is worn a mesh floral tank top with goldContinue reading “Sho’ White Barbie”

‘Her Minajesty’ Nicki Minaj Barbie

Photographs courtesy of Stephen Sumner Name: ‘Her Minajesty,’ Nicki Minaj Barbie, a one-of-a-kind Made by and When: Mattel, designed by Stephen Sumner in 2011 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Pink straight hair with bangs/brown painted eyes/smiling mouth with painted teeth Designer’s Description: Created as a one-of-a-kind, the Nicki Minaj doll, ‘Her Minajesty,’ is wearingContinue reading “‘Her Minajesty’ Nicki Minaj Barbie”

Johnna Art Dolls

Photograph courtesy of Anita M. Ormsby Name: Group of Johnna Art Dolls, Kalamazoo Made by and When: Barbara Thiery Buysse, various years Group Description: The one-of-a-kind dolls in this delightful group of Johnna Art Dolls by Barbara Buysse were made from 1985 to 1992. They are cloth with very expressive oil-painted facial features. Some areContinue reading “Johnna Art Dolls”

She Wears it Well

Name: She Wears It Well Made by and When: Frantz Brent-Harris of Sona Dolls, 2017 Material: Resin and silk with a steel base Height: 3 feet Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Natural texture fibers create an upward Afro/brown painted eyes with applied eyelashes/closed mouth with luscious red-painted lips Clothes: Elaborate headdress of a red slave ship with red chainsContinue reading “She Wears it Well”