Seminole Doll

native-american-doll.jpg

Dublin Core

Title

Seminole Doll

Subject

Native American, doll

Description

This doll, made by members of Seminole Nation in southern Florida, reflects the evolving cultural practices of the Seminoles over the past century. Originally, dolls were very simple and lacked facial features because the Seminoles enforced a strict taboo on creating close representations of humans. However, as the dolls became popular among tourists, the Seminoles began crafting dolls that were increasingly lifelike. Dolls such as this one accurately depict Seminole women, from the iconic patchwork designs of the dress to the strands of beads at the neck. The Seminoles even began using palmetto fiber instead of wood to form the body of the doll, so as to precisely replicate the reddish quality of their skin tone. In this doll, we can see how interactions between groups can influence the material and cultural representations of the human form over time.

Creator

Seminole Nation

Source

Gift of Mrs. C. E. Allen

Contributor

Curated by Miriam Ginsberg

Format

Palmetto fiber, beads, fabric, yarn and thread

Type

Image

Identifier

1934.18

Coverage

United States, Florida

Still Image Item Type Metadata

Physical Dimensions

25 cm in height (length), 14 cm wide at base, 10 cm at middle, 5 cm neck, six cm head, 25 cm circumference (at middle)

About the Original Item

Date Added
May 2, 2011
Collection
Fleming Museum
Item Type
Image
Citation
Seminole Nation, “Seminole Doll,” Omeka@CTL, accessed March 29, 2024, http://libraryexhibits.uvm.edu/omeka/items/show/595.
Associated Files