Dolls Around the World
By Aurelia Gomez, Director of Education

Dolls have captivated the human imagination for centuries. Paddle shaped dolls dating back to 200 BC have been found in Egyptian tombs. Dolls have been constructed out of virtually every material known to humankind including bone, ivory, wax, wood, terra cotta, plastic, rubber, old socks and inner tubes. A baby doll on display at the Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh, Scotland is an old shoe, sole up with a face made out of thumbtacks and a piece of fabric for its blanket. Its worn appearance is a testimonial to frequent use and creates an aura of affection and significant play.

Play is key to the function of dolls and doll making. Children's play enables their developing bodies, minds and emotions to experience a constructive channel of growth and enrichment. As miniature humans, dolls automatically shift the power scale from the adult to the side of the child. Suddenly in control, children can manipulate their playthings and project their imaginations and longings onto their inanimate friends.

In some instances, dolls function in a parallel manner for adults. Dolls are used for magical or spiritual purposes as well as are representative of a playful or wistful side of adult life. Dolls found in the collection of the Museum of International Folk Art represent the society and culture from which they originate. They are created out of materials that are accessible to a particular people and reflect the dress, style and values of that group.
PHOTOGRAPH ABOVE: Doll. Burma, painted papier maché 10" high. c. 1960

Alexander Girard, the personality behind the Multiple Visions: A Common Bond exhibition was especially enamored of dolls and figurines. He collected thousands of then and the exhibition explores the similarities and differences of cultures all over the world.


Russian Dolls
Straw dolls from Russia were created in the central agricultural districts. Children wore small straw dolls tied to their necks, wrists and waist. The use of natural materials extended to the northern forest regions where dolls were made out of pine cones, birch bark and rolled moss tied with linen string.

Inuit/Eskimo Dolls
Inuit dolls are made out of soapstone and bone, materials that are available in the northern climate of Alaska. They are clothes with animal furs and sealskin. Their clothing articulates the traditional style of dress necessary to survive cold winters, wind and snow.

Navajo Dolls
Navajo dolls describe a style of clothing that Navajo women copied from east coast American society in the 1860's. Women of that era wore full dresses made out of satin. President Lincoln's wife and friends wore full dresses made of satin. Navajo women copied the patterns but substituted velvet for the satin and made buttons out of nickels and dimes. These stylish skirts are still fashionable today, for Navajos and non-Navajos alike.


Japanese Dolls
In Japan some dolls relate to luck. One example of this is the daruma doll, a round doll composed of a head and body. Daruma represents Bodidharma, an East Indian whose limbs withered after prolonged meditation. This doll represents fortitude, continued prosperity and good fortune. Frequently daruma dolls are purchased without eyes. When the owner has a stroke of good luck, the first eye is painted on, with more good luck the second eye is created.

African Dolls
African dolls across the continent are created for young girls to play with and as a charm to insure fertility in women. Their shape and costume vary according to region and custom. Frequently dolls are handed down from mother to daughter. Western dolls are popular in Africa and are often dressed with traditional garb.

Hopi Kachina Dolls
The Hopi use kachina dolls to embody the characteristics of the kachinas, the powerful spirits of earth, sky and water. These dolls are important educational tools for children, making unseen ideas and concepts visible.


Souvenir dolls are created by virtually all cultures as a means of representing a particular people. These dolls are educational tools and cultural ambassadors.



|Doll Project | Doll Bibliography| Masks| Puppets