Antique Black American Folk Art Rag Doll, Possible Suffragette Connection 19Thc

ANTIQUE FOLK ART RAG DOLL - BLACK AMERICANA/SUFFRAGETTE/CIVIL RIGHTS/WOMEN’S RIGHTS INTEREST

An extremely charming doll, lovingly made from scraps of cloth with hand embroidered, simple yet characterful facial features and embroidered fingers.

The main body appears to be made from black silk and cotton and feels like it is stuffed with further scraps of cloth. She has a velvet bonnet covering her head as well as colourful velvet undergarments. She is wearing a beautiful striped silk chiffon dress, tied at the waist by a gingham bow.

There is a brass ring on her left wrist used to depict a gold bangle. She is also wearing brown hand-sewn oilcloth shoes which work well to emulate brown leather.

There is a possible connection to the suffragist/suffragette women’s rights movements of the late 19th/early 20th century. The purple, green and white colours of the silk chiffon dress match the symbolic colours of those movements and most specifically The Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), founded and led by Emmeline Pankhurst. Although this connection could be pure coincidence, it seems like a distinct possibility as the date of the doll coincides with this time and there are many documented connections between American and African American women and the Suffragette movements in the UK. Most notably Dr Sarah Parker Redmond, an African American abolitionist who lived in the UK but also Harriot Stanton Blatch (American), spent years in London and was deeply influenced by Pankhurst. When Blatch founded the Women’s Political Union in New York in 1910, she adopted the same colour scheme there.

The doll probably dates from the late 19th century or possibly early 20th century period.

It is largely in good vintage condition, with no serious issues and with wear consistent with age and use. including some fading to the clothes. The dress is worn through in places, but largely survives well. The original stitching on the shoes has perished in places and have honest repairs using white cotton thread.

Approximate measurements laid flat: 38cm high (15”) x 34cm wide (14”), arm to arm x 5cm deep (2”).