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African Tribal Dolls
African Tribes used many dolls as part of
thier rituals. Thesse dolls brought different
meanings. Many African tribes are known for their masterful carvings. Tribes and carving families developed their particular styles in many forms of sculpture in dolls. Although most carving and art training was passed down from family members, on occasion a man wanting more training could apprentice himself to a well respected carver outside of his tribe. Great African carvers achieved acclaim for their abilities and were a source of pride for their communities.

Black Dolls for White Children

The first commercially made black dolls were paper mache made in Germany in the 1820s. They were dressed as servants and meant to be playthings for white children. Nearly all of the bisque doll makers included black dolls in their line and as early as 1885 some advertising was aimed at parents of black children. Through the years black dolls have been divided into two types: white dolls painted black and dolls with ethnic features. Many nationalities other than African American have been represented and every medium from wax to felt has been used.

Paper Dolls

Back paper dolls were first printed about 140 years ago.the first black paper dolls, Topsey, a character in Harriet Beecher Stowe's book "Uncle Tom's Cabin" The paper doll was part of an 1863 promotional campaign for the book.

Topsy Turvy Dolls
19 th

To counteract these early images, Grayson made
sure that her exhibit featured Torchy Brown, "a
shapely, sophisticated, no-nonsense fashion maven"
cartoon character that was created in 1937 by
Jackie Ormes. The work of Ormes, the first
syndicated black female illustrator, appeared
in the black-owned newspaper the Pittsburgh Courier.

Imagines pre civil rights movement

Before the 1950s, images of blacks in the
mainstream press and popular culture
were "subservient and menial," Grayson
said. Two examples at the exhibit are Aunt
Dinah, the Colored Cook, which appeared
in the April 1911 issue of McCall's magazine;
and the Mammy Cook and her Thanksgiving
Dinner paper doll, published in the magazine
called The Delineator in November 1912

Barbie's Friend Christie
1980

First Black Barbie/ Ebony Christie MIB

The first black Barbie was #1293 Black Barbie
This beauty was released in Europe as
Ebony Christie but they are exactly the
same doll Imported from Italy just painted black.

African Tribal Dolls	Black Dolls for white Children	Black Barbie Dolls
Black Rag dolls	Black Paper Dolls	Black Rag Dolls

African Tribal Dolls African Tribes used many dolls as part of thier rituals. Thesse dolls brought different meanings. Many African tribes are known for their masterful carvings. Tribes and carving families developed their particular styles in many forms of sculpture in dolls. Although most carving and art training was passed down from family members, on occasion a man wanting more training could apprentice himself to a well respected carver outside of his tribe. Great African carvers achieved acclaim for their abilities and were a source of pride for their communities.
	Black Dolls for White Children The first commercially made black dolls were paper mache made in Germany in the 1820s. They were dressed as servants and meant to be playthings for white children. Nearly all of the bisque doll makers included black dolls in their line and as early as 1885 some advertising was aimed at parents of black children. Through the years black dolls have been divided into two types: white dolls painted black and dolls with ethnic features. Many nationalities other than African American have been represented and every medium from wax to felt has been used.
Paper Dolls Back paper dolls were first printed about 140 years ago.the first black paper dolls, Topsey, a character in Harriet Beecher Stowe's book "Uncle Tom's Cabin" The paper doll was part of an 1863 promotional campaign for the book.
	Topsy Turvy Dolls 19 th To counteract these early images, Grayson made sure that her exhibit featured Torchy Brown, "a shapely, sophisticated, no-nonsense fashion maven" cartoon character that was created in 1937 by Jackie Ormes. The work of Ormes, the first syndicated black female illustrator, appeared in the black-owned newspaper the Pittsburgh Courier.
Imagines pre civil rights movement Before the 1950s, images of blacks in the mainstream press and popular culture were "subservient and menial," Grayson said. Two examples at the exhibit are Aunt Dinah, the Colored Cook, which appeared in the April 1911 issue of McCall's magazine; and the Mammy Cook and her Thanksgiving Dinner paper doll, published in the magazine called The Delineator in November 1912
	Barbie's Friend Christie 1980 First Black Barbie/ Ebony Christie MIB The first black Barbie was #1293 Black Barbie This beauty was released in Europe as Ebony Christie but they are exactly the same doll Imported from Italy just painted black.