Doll

Description

Articulated doll with brown hair, sleep eyes, and body of uniform 1950s material. Dressed in (a) dress and (b) bertha of "Mozambique" with lace trim and mother-of-pearl oblong buttons; three undergarments (c,d,e) of plain material; pair of commercial knitted socks (f,g) and leather shoes (h,i); and straw bonnet (j) with gray flounce.

Notes

Twentieth-century Shaker industries consisted largely of gifts, household items, and souvenirs that capitalized on the skills of sisters. Dolls in Shaker costumes were sold to visitors alongside poplarware, sewn items, and other fancy goods. The costume on this doll, including the poplar bonnet, was made for the Shaker Museum by Jennie Wells of Hancock. Wells also wove a rug in the Museums collection. The Shakers called the dress fabric pattern "Mozambique". Benjamin Gates, Mount Lebanon Trustee, purchased bolts of "Mozambique" in 1867 for the Mount Lebanon sisters to make into summer dresses. The eyes of the doll close when it is lying on its back. The arms, head, and legs all move, and the brown hair on the doll is probably natural human hair. The doll was made with the metal stand. Wells gave this and another similarly-dressed doll to the Museum in autumn 1950. A postcard sent by Wells to Phelps Clawson dated November 30, 1950 reads "I have the Dolls ready for you to call for at your convenience. Hope you will like them."[1] [1] Postcard from Jennie M. Wells to H. Phelps Clawson, November 30, 1950. Museum Correspondence, Shaker Museum and Library, Old Chatham, New York.