Antique Late 19th Century Folk Art Cloth Rag Doll – Likely 1870s–1880s – 16” For Sale

Antique Late 19th Century Folk Art Cloth Rag Doll – Likely 1870s–1880s – 16”

Wonderful early handmade cloth rag doll dating to the late 19th century, and in my opinion likely circa 1870s–1880s.

She measures approximately 16 inches tall and has a wonderful primitive, unmistakably folk art appearance. The doll is entirely cloth-made, with a simply drawn and very appealing face featuring stitched or inked brows and eyes, red cheek accents, and a tiny red mouth.

One of her most charming features is her hairstyle, with a center-parted arrangement and thick braided cloth sections framing the sides of the head. She also wears a dark head covering or bonnet. The hairstyle, together with the costume styling, suggests a doll of Victorian-era origin.

She retains an especially appealing costume consisting of a light-colored dress with gathered sleeves and a full gathered skirt, a dark waist sash, and a short dark capelet or shoulder cape. There are also brown silk ribbon accents at the neck and top of the head. The style of the cape, dress, and hair all suggest an earlier late-19th-century aesthetic, and support a dating in the 1870s–1880s range.

The doll has a stuffed cloth body with long simple arms and primitive black cloth feet/shoes. The handmade construction and irregular proportions give her tremendous character and visual appeal.

Because handmade folk dolls can be difficult to date with precision, and because clothing may sometimes be altered or refreshed over time, the dating should be considered an informed attribution. That said, this doll appears to be considerably earlier than the common 20th-century rag doll, and I believe a late 19th century, likely 1870s–1880s, date is appropriate.

Condition:

Good antique condition for age, with expected wear from time and use. There is overall age-related discoloration, staining, fading, and wear to both the doll and clothing. The little brown silk accents are disintegrating/shattering, especially at the neck and top of the head, and should be handled very gently. The black cloth feet/shoes show wear and fading/loss. The costume fabrics show age and wear throughout. There may be minor old repairs, loose stitches, or other irregularities consistent with a handmade cloth doll of this age.

Please examine all photos carefully, as they are an important part of the description and condition report.

A very charming and increasingly hard-to-find 19th-century folk art cloth doll, with wonderful primitive presence, unusual braided hairstyle, and strong Victorian character.

Measurements:

Approximately 16 inches tall

Please review all photographs carefully as they are part of the description.

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