Doll

This 'Queen Anne' doll was made by an anonymous craftsman, probably in London. Dolls were often purchased at fairs, such as the Bartholomew Fair at Smithfield. The doll making industry thrived in the capital for most of the eighteenth century. It was protected by the government which levied heavy import duties on toys from abroad. This tax regime was relaxed in the 1780s leading to an influx of cheaper imported dolls. The quality of English-made dolls declined as a result.

In the eighteenth century dolls were generally made in adult form and this one is typical of the 'Queen Anne' type. The head and torso are carved from one piece of wood in the shape of a skittle. The wooden legs are attached to the base of the torso by a hinge, the wooden arms by cloth at the shoulders. The head is disproportionately large compared to the rest of the body. The exaggerated facial features have been hand carved and painted. The delicate 'stitched' eyebrows and lashes are a common feature of this doll type as are the inset black glass eyes. She is wearing a white linen dress featuring mauve and white silk ribbons. The dress is supported underneath by a cane hoop and has a white linen petticoat. She is also wearing a white cotton chemise and stockings with blue silk garters. Her shoes are made of white silk. The mohair wig and white linen turban were added at a later date. The original wig was no doubt worn out through frequent use. The doll's clothes were not intended to be removed by the child at play. The concept of children dressing and undressing dolls for educational purposes was an advent of the nineteenth century.