Topsy-Turvy doll
Title
Topsy-Turvy doll
Subject
Object : Toy
Description
Topsy-turvy doll. Though not from the Ozarks, representative of a style of doll popularized in areas where Black children and White children interacted. Traditionally one side would be White and one would be Black, thusly allowing children to play with dolls of both races.
This example has a lighter brown side and a black skinned side. The light skinned brown side has a satin head scarf and large skirts with felt flower decoration. The blouse is of a red trimmed lace. There is a tear on the left arm of the doll where the cotton filling has begun to show. The darker side has a red trimmed floral skirt, a white lace trimmed blouse and wool hair.
This example has a lighter brown side and a black skinned side. The light skinned brown side has a satin head scarf and large skirts with felt flower decoration. The blouse is of a red trimmed lace. There is a tear on the left arm of the doll where the cotton filling has begun to show. The darker side has a red trimmed floral skirt, a white lace trimmed blouse and wool hair.
"My mom had a, my Grandma Berry had one that was the same doll, it was one of the dolls that was part of her dowry, it was sold to...it was sold to a local here in Ash Grove...and he didn't want to sell it. He bought it at a sale and didn't want to sell it...[Did he let you see it?] Oh yeah, and it was the same one."
Source
From the collection of Nancy Arkin; Ozarks Afro-American Heritage Museum
Publisher
OAAHM-Online
Date
[1930s-1940s?]
Contributor
Dorothy Berry
Rights
Photo and text are available for educational purposes only. Publication requires express written permission.
Identifier
OAAHM0093
Files
