A Woodlands Doll

depicting a male in a standing posture, wearing a traditional costume.

Very good original condition with typical wear for its age.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

For more information on this doll please see Michael G. Johnson, "A Rare Woodland Doll," Whispering Wind, Volume 34, no. 1: "The doll...is dressed as a Woodland Indian male figure of the first half of the 19^th century. The face painting of blue and red dots and lines suggest he may be a warrior image.

 

The basic doll is no doubt European, possibly German. The head appears to be wax-over composition, the body of fabric with leather limbs. In Britain they were sometimes known as "Bagmen's Babies" because they were often sold by traveling peddlers or "bagmen."

 

The doll's outfit is a mixture of Euro-American materials and has parallels with the male dress items collected by Captain Malcolm in the late 18^th century and now in the Berne Historical Museum, Switzerland and the materials collected by Sir John Caldwell.

 

The head is partly shaved but has additional braided locks with silver or metal beads. The hair spools are probably wooden, covered with red cloth and bound with wire and attached to the head by means of metal pins. The spools at the rear of the head have cut feather decoration. The shirt or tunic is printed cloth, loose-fitting style and hand-sewn. The brooch, arm and wrist bands are wire-work which appears to be native made. The leggings are black wool cloth with silk ribbon appliqué, hand sewn using cotton thread. The breechclout is also black wool cloth and decorated with military braid, thread cross-hatching and beads. The moccasins are buckskin with a deep "U" shaped vamp reminiscent of many northern full size examples. The moccasins are decorated with beads and thread work.

 

This doll, which appeared on the British antique market a few years ago, reminds the writer of a similar doll which also appeared for sale at auction in the early 1990s also in the United Kingdom. However, this was a female doll, but the basic fabric European dolls were the same. This female doll was attired in a dark cloth strap dress with ribbon appliqué, leggings of red cloth, metal brooches and a Cross of Lorraine. The moccasins were buckskin with a "U" shaped vamp similar to those of the male figure.

 

Richard Pohrt responding to my questions suggested that these dolls are actually a pair and somehow have been separated while in Britain. Tribal attributions as wide as James Bay Cree and Menomini have been offered. Clearly, if a pair, the Cross of Lorraine suggests French influence and I would offer that the Ottawa or Ojibwe were the likely makers. The 1853 silver 3 cent coin representing the peace medal on the male figure gives a good indication of the date the dolls were made."