paint on ceramic with ribbon and string (fiber product)
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 3 1/16 × 1 15/16 × 1 3/16 in. (7.8 × 5 × 3 cm)
Type:
baby dolls
Place made:
Japan, Asia
Place used:
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
Bedford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
Date:
1945-1952
Caption:
This is a Black bisque doll manufactured in Japan during the U.S. occupation between 1945 and 1952. The doll is a white baby doll that was painted brown as a substitute for an actual African American doll and speaks to the lack of diversity in the doll industry at the time. Dolls like this were created for a mass market and repurposed to appeal to African American consumers because the doll industry lacked a multiplicity of Black skin-tones and facial features.
Description:
A miniature baby doll with a dark pink dress and red hair bows. The brown painted bisque baby doll has articulated arms and legs. The doll has wide white and black painted, side glancing eyes; red painted Cupid’s bow lips; rounded cheeks; and a button nose. She has a mostly bald head with molded, dark brown, painted locks at the top and a red bow above each of her ears. There is a small hole at the top of the head. She is wearing a dark pink, sleeveless dress constructed from pieces of identical ribbon. The body of the dress resembles a dress with bloomers. The dress wraps around the doll’s torso, under the arms. Another piece of ribbon is sewn into a ruffled skirt around the waist. Stamped on the upper back is the text [MADE IN / OCCUPIED / JAPAN].
