Learning through objects from the Islington Education Library Service’s handling collection

Antique Doll, India

These dolls were collected in India in the 1950s and probably made in the 1940s. They are made of cloth and filled with sawdust.

Each doll shows great attention to detail. This female doll is dressed in a silk shalwar kameez (similar to trousers and loose tunic) and leather shoes. There is fine embroidery in pink and a border of cream lace on the kameez.

The doll has anklets, bracelets, a necklace and gold earrings, all in traditional Indian designs. The face is made of a separate piece of cloth that has been painted and moulded with stuffing to create the nose and cheeks and then sewn on. It has pale, delicately painted features and the hair is human.

Soft dolls have been around for centuries and in all cultures. They were often made by mothers for their children using local materials, rags and scraps.

A30451 antique dolls

Antique Doll
Length:24cm
Antique Doll
Length:24cm
Antique Doll

These dolls were collected in India in the 1950s and probably made in the 1940s. They are made of cloth and filled with sawdust.

Each doll shows great attention to detail. This female doll is dressed in a silk shalwar kameez (similar to trousers and loose tunic) and leather shoes. There is fine embroidery in pink and a border of cream lace on the kameez.

The doll has anklets, bracelets, a necklace and gold earrings, all in traditional Indian designs. The face is made of a separate piece of cloth that has been painted and moulded with stuffing to create the nose and cheeks and then sewn on. It has pale, delicately painted features and the hair is human.

Soft dolls have been around for centuries and in all cultures. They were often made by mothers for their children using local materials, rags and scraps.

A30451 antique dolls