Dolls of the ancients
Early figures have been found that look like dolls dating from around
2000 BC. These figures were made in Egypt and were called paddle
dolls as they were made of wood and often in the shape of a paddle.
They were decorated with hair and rough clay beads and were 7 to 10
inches in height.
Other figures made of cloth and wood have also been found about this same time
in the Nile Valley.
Other ancient dolls have been found made from
wood with linen bodies stuffed with papyrus leaves and embroidered
faces. They were costumed in dresses and loin cloths.
This rag doll found in Hawara, although now in an extremely fragile condition, still holds its charm – made of rushes, with a carved head and real hair still proudly stands at 13cm, despite parts of it missing and being disarticulated. Just like the modern day Barbie, the doll comes with a set of changeable garments. It could be speculated that the doll must have been a treasured possession of a wealthy owner – typically the Egyptian dolls were rather simple creations, made with materials such as wood and clay.
The early Greeks also made dolls with surviving examples in wood,
clay, bone, ivory and cloth.
When children passed from childhood to puberty, these dolls were often
dedicated at a Temple. There are many examples of these dolls found
in the remains of Temples and Shrines.
Dolls were common throughout the ancient Mediterranean world. In the 500s B.C., Greek artisans began to produce a distinctive form of terracotta doll with separately-made arms and legs, which were attached with string. Unlike today's baby-dolls, these dolls always represent adult women. They have short tunics painted on their torso and this example retains traces of red paint. This doll has simple mitten-shaped hands, but many others carrykrotala or castanet-like instruments.
Early figures have been found that look like dolls dating from around
2000 BC. These figures were made in Egypt and were called paddle
dolls as they were made of wood and often in the shape of a paddle.
They were decorated with hair and rough clay beads and were 7 to 10
inches in height.
Other figures made of cloth and wood have also been found about this same time
in the Nile Valley.
Other ancient dolls have been found made from
wood with linen bodies stuffed with papyrus leaves and embroidered
faces. They were costumed in dresses and loin cloths.
This rag doll found in Hawara, although now in an extremely fragile condition, still holds its charm – made of rushes, with a carved head and real hair still proudly stands at 13cm, despite parts of it missing and being disarticulated. Just like the modern day Barbie, the doll comes with a set of changeable garments. It could be speculated that the doll must have been a treasured possession of a wealthy owner – typically the Egyptian dolls were rather simple creations, made with materials such as wood and clay.
The early Greeks also made dolls with surviving examples in wood,
clay, bone, ivory and cloth.
When children passed from childhood to puberty, these dolls were often
dedicated at a Temple. There are many examples of these dolls found
in the remains of Temples and Shrines.
Dolls were common throughout the ancient Mediterranean world. In the 500s B.C., Greek artisans began to produce a distinctive form of terracotta doll with separately-made arms and legs, which were attached with string. Unlike today's baby-dolls, these dolls always represent adult women. They have short tunics painted on their torso and this example retains traces of red paint. This doll has simple mitten-shaped hands, but many others carry
