Vintage Russian cloth stockinette 10" doll – 8098

Description

Vintage Russian cloth stockinette 10″ doll. Gorgeously painted eyes with delicate expressive eyebrows. “Made in Soviet Union 8098” label. Firmly stuffed cotton body with tab jointed limbs, fingers are sewn in and thumb is separate. All original traditional costume. Just look at the details like the tiny ruffle sewn around the rim of the headdress. The Soviet Union label puts her in a very special place and time in history, which collectors will recognize. These dolls were produced shortly after the formation of the Soviet Union, a fascinating time when the identity of the people was in flux. The label does not say “Russia” yet she is dressed in a traditional Russian manner. Were these dolls made for parents to teach their children to treasure their culture even as they looked to a Soviet future? Are the costumes of children’s dolls the very last place a heritage holds on in the winds of change? Look into those clear eyes and imagine what a parent giving such a doll to her daughter would have been teaching about their shared identity.
This doll is from the estate of a collector whose heir reports that her great, great grandmother worked for a cruise ship, and collected dolls during her travels around the world. Exact year of purchase is unknown. Doll is dirty, discolored, and has a slight storage air. The bottoms of the shoes are missing. No cleaning has been attempted, and even the collector’s tag reading “Georgia, Russia” has been left pinned in place. This could be a brilliant restoration project of an irreplaceable piece of history. Please examine photos for defects before purchase. Price has been adjusted because of the condition.