Need Help Identifying African Style Dolls

[jbmbburns]

I bought the pair from an antique store in Brunswick, Maine in 2001.....They did not have any information about them other than they were purchased from an estate sale. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I will also be open to selling the pair of dolls also. Thank you.

[mart]

I have no clue !!  Don`t look particularly old from the fabric and chenille style wrapped bodies !!  I would guess late 40`s or 50`s !! But could be later than that !!  Are there any markings on them or the wood bases ??

[jbmbburns]

Thanks for the reply Mart.....there are no markings anywhere that I can find..........Im stumped.......I can't find anything on the internet that even resembles these figures.......

[wendy177]

I would contact a museum and see if they can help  If you search Afro-American museums you will find many, I would just go down the  list & email them with photos and wait for a response. Good luck & let us know what you find 

[mart]

Good idea Wendy,, Could be unique folk art dolls !!

[Rauville]

Over a period of a few years, I bought several items from a Missionary that would return from Africa on a annual basis. Although I never had identical dolls to these, a couple were somewhat similar in style. I'm just guessing that they were locally made as souvenir items.

(Oops...I was using the term "souvenir" in the wrong context here. I was thinking more of a "going away gift".)

[wendy177]

Yup Mart & Rauville think they are folk art , Do not believe they are souvenir items in all my years I have never seen dolls made this way but could be wrong . think  Afro-American museum is the way to go!! I get the impression they are slave dolls  the sitting doll looks to have cotton.  could be way off just the feeling I get from them.

[jbmbburns]

Thank you so much to everyone for the info....I have sent the pictures to four different African American museums....I will update the post when I get a reply.....thanks again.