Mary McAboy first started making Skookum dolls in 1913 and received a
patent for them in 1914. They were popular from the early 1920s until
the 1960s. They were cottage factory-made dolls that resembled Native American people and were sold to tourists at trading posts in the western United States.
Early dolls heads were made of dried apples with the bodies made
of wood and stuffed with either leaves, straw, twigs or grass stuffed in
a muslin sack. The very first versions also included simple wigs made with human hair.
 |
| Left, photo by Cullen328, Skookum in it's original box. Right, photo by Heaphy, Skookum at 32nd Annual American Indian Art Show 2016. |
As the market place became more demanding, the dolls were made from composition and had mohair wigs. All Skookums have "Indian style" blankets and beaded necklaces as part of their attire. A few rare versions have feathered headdresses. The sizes of the dolls ranged from babies inside of cradle boards to large, human size store display dolls. The larger varieties are more collectable.
Most original Skookum dolls have painted eyes that look to the far right and do not have arms! Their bodies they are wrapped with blankets
and have the "suggestion" of arms. These dolls never have gray hair, as do
"elders" and are marked with the words "Skookum"stamped on
their brown plastic shoes. Some of the very oldest dolls have a tag with "Skookum" on their foot.
Because the dolls were made in by American cottage industry, the clothing and beadwork vary greatly. Each doll was dressed by an individual seamstress from her home. Only the composition face masks, mohair wigs and general parts of the body were made on an assembly line. The rest of the sewing and decorative detailing was finished by American women from their homes, who were paid a small fee for their time.
Because the dolls were made in by American cottage industry, the clothing and beadwork vary greatly. Each doll was dressed by an individual seamstress from her home. Only the composition face masks, mohair wigs and general parts of the body were made on an assembly line. The rest of the sewing and decorative detailing was finished by American women from their homes, who were paid a small fee for their time.
Skookums were widely imitated. Minnetonka, Milbros or Minnehaha dolls
are just a few doll types intended to resemble the Skookum doll.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for your thoughts. All comments are moderated. Spam is not published. Have a good day!