Antique 14\" Folk Art Cloth Rag Doll Embroidered Face Yarn Hair Handmade For Sale

Wonderful antique handmade cloth folk art doll, measuring approximately 14 inches tall, with an unusually expressive embroidered face, elaborate brown yarn coiffure, handmade stuffed cloth body, layered clothing, undergarments and extensive decorative lacework.

The doll is entirely cloth constructed and firmly stuffed. Her face is beautifully worked with embroidered pale green eyes, individually stitched black eyelashes and brows, small red nostrils and detailed red embroidered lips. The prominent center facial seam and shaped panels of the head are clearly visible and form part of her handmade construction.

Her dark brown yarn hair is arranged in an elaborate coiled and braided hairstyle, with remnants of delicate lace decoration incorporated into the hair. Around her neck is a narrow black velvet ribbon secured at the front with a small brass-tone stud.

She wears a full long-sleeved printed cotton dress in a striking green, cream, yellow and red pattern. The front is heavily embellished with intricate cream lace arranged over the bodice and waist.

Beneath the outer dress she retains an impressive group of period-style undergarments, including a full gathered cream petticoat/skirt with eyelet lace border and matching pantalettes/drawers with eyelet-trimmed legs. She also retains her black cloth shoes.

The removable clothing allows much of the doll\'s construction to be examined. The torso is made from pale pink cloth with a center-back seam that has been hand closed after stuffing, while the head and arms are constructed from tan cloth. The arms are hand attached at the shoulders. Her hands are individually formed, including a distinctly shaped thumb on one hand.

No maker\'s label, signature or identifying mark has been located.

The exact maker and date are unknown. She is a particularly appealing example of traditional handmade folk-art dollmaking, with considerably more detail than is typically encountered in a simple homemade rag doll.

Antique condition with substantial age-related wear. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.

The cloth doll itself remains structurally quite good, retaining her original form, firmly stuffed body, arms, embroidered facial features, yarn hair and cloth shoes. Her face remains particularly attractive, with the embroidered eyes and lips retaining strong definition and color.

The exposed cloth of the head, arms and body shows overall age toning, discoloration, scattered spotting/soiling and normal surface wear.

The clothing displays considerable age and wear. The cream undergarments have pronounced overall toning/discoloration, scattered staining and general textile wear, although they remain substantially intact. The printed outer dress retains attractive color and presents well overall.

The most significant deterioration is to the decorative antique lace, particularly the elaborate lacework applied across the front of the dress and the lace incorporated into the hair. This lace is fragile and exhibits extensive fraying, breaks, open areas, loose sections and losses. Loose threads are present in various areas.

The visible hand stitching along the center back of the torso appears consistent with the doll\'s handmade construction, although the history of any individual stitching, alterations or repairs cannot be determined with certainty.

No attempt has been made to clean, restore or repair the doll. She is being offered as found.

A wonderful display piece for a collection of antique cloth dolls, rag dolls, primitive dolls, textile folk art or early American-style folk art.

Measures approximately 14 inches tall.

Please examine all photographs closely for construction, clothing, lace condition, staining, wear and other details before purchasing.