Manufactured by
Unidentified
Date
1945-1952
Medium
paint on ceramic with ribbon and string (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 3 1/16 × 1 15/16 × 1 3/16 in. (7.8 × 5 × 3 cm)
Caption
This is a Black bisque doll manufactured in Japan during the U.S. occupation between 1945 and 1952. The doll is a white baby doll that was painted brown as a substitute for an actual African American doll and speaks to the lack of diversity in the doll industry at the time. Dolls like this were created for a mass market and repurposed to appeal to African American consumers because the doll industry lacked a multiplicity of Black skin-tones and facial features.
Description
A miniature baby doll with a dark pink dress and red hair bows. The brown painted bisque baby doll has articulated arms and legs. The doll has wide white and black painted, side glancing eyes; red painted Cupid’s bow lips; rounded cheeks; and a button nose. She has a mostly bald head with molded, dark brown, painted locks at the top and a red bow above each of her ears. There is a small hole at the top of the head. She is wearing a dark pink, sleeveless dress constructed from pieces of identical ribbon. The body of the dress resembles a dress with bloomers. The dress wraps around the doll’s torso, under the arms. Another piece of ribbon is sewn into a ruffled skirt around the waist. Stamped on the upper back is the text [MADE IN / OCCUPIED / JAPAN].
Place made
Japan, Asia
Place used
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
Bedford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Toys and Games
Type
baby dolls
Topic
Amusements
Children
Families
Race relations
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Claire E. Humphrey & Vickie L. Henry
Object number
2023.48.2
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd54fe690b5-ce9b-4468-99b0-99e1311c0dd5

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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