Seminole woman doll
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Title |
Seminole woman doll |
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Description |
The idea of a child's doll as a keepsake is not traditional in many Indian tribes. Dolls were usually made of natural materials like cornhusk, palmetto fiber, or bundled pine needles, all of which would decay over time, allowing the doll to fall apart. In some tribes, the impermanence of children's dolls and other toys was meaningful because it showed that a child was growing up. Native American dolls were often fashioned with miniature clothing and jewelry, beadwork or painting, animal fur, or even hair from the mother's head. This doll is made from palmetto fiber and dressed as a traditional Seminole woman with a full, long gathered skirt and a full cape hanging slightly below the waist, pieced together from many colored fabrics to create patterns. She has several bead necklaces. The Seminole female began wearing beads around her neck at a very early age and added more from time to time until a large quantity had been accumulated. They never removed the beads, weighing as much as 16 pounds, resulting in their necks becoming very thin and elongated, which was considered beautiful. Women wore fewer strands as they became older. A moderate number of beads are still worn by traditionally-minded women today. The black cloth mounted on the back of the head is her hair, which would have been combed over a cardboard frame and pinned to form a fan. This hairstyle was popular in the 19th century, but is almost never seen today. |
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Subject |
Indian dolls.; Seminole women--Clothing. |
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Date |
[200-?] |
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