Doll

Object Name:

Doll

Object ID:

1966.576 a

Creator:

Ellis, Joel

Place of Origin:

Springfield, VT

Date:

circa 1873

Description:

Doll, painted wood. Made by Joel Ellis Company, Springfield, VT. Patented 1873. Head made of two pieces of rock maple, steamed and pressed into shape. Body turned on lathe. Slot-and-tendon joints. Heeled shoes of metal painted black. Metal hands painted gray. Head, shoulders, lower arms, hands, and lower legs dipped in ivory paint. Remainder of body unpainted. White challis dress with fine black floral print; ruffle at neck, high gathered waistline, 2" lace at hem.

Material:

Wood
Maple
Metal
Textile

Dimensions:

H-15 W-4 D-2 inches

Provenance:

Joel Ellis, born in Barnard, VT, started making wooden toys in 1856 and issued a catalog in 1859. He made doll cabs, wagons, doll furniture, hoops, sleds, and building blocks. His company made wheelchairs during the Civil War. The first dolls were made in 1871. They were not very popular, so production was stopped about the time a patent was issued in 1873. Addie and Emma Woodbury painted doll features in the Ellis shop.

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Collection

Subjects:

Dolls