Her Ethnicity is Unknown

Latina woman doll made of felt

Sold to me as a Jamaican doll, this circa 1940s-1950s felt doll with a painted mask face is 12 inches tall. I did not pay close attention to the clothing until the doll arrived.

The eBay seller's description of Jamaican as the doll's nationality is incorrect. The gypsy-style clothing (peasant-style blouse and flared skirt), straight long black mohair wig, and thumbs and fingers that are stitched to the wide skirt (as though she is going to lift the sides of the skirt to dance) makes me think of a Latina woman. If she represented a Jamaican woman, the hair would not be straight or long. The head possibly would be wrapped with fabric and a basket of fruit attached to the head. The clothing is not traditional Jamaican clothing.

Perhaps she represents a Brazilian, was my first thought. A Colombian woman was my next thought, or perhaps Puerto Rican. She's entered in my Excel spreadsheet as a Latina woman. 

Red and white felt flowers are attached to both sides of the face. She wears one earring, possibly originally wore two.

During the time this doll was made, doll makers rarely went through the extra measures to distinguish non-white dolls by skin tone. Shades of brown were used for African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Native Alaskans, and all other dolls not considered Caucasian. 

The doll has straight, waist-length black hair.

The spreadsheet description column reads:

12-inch stuffed felt doll with a mask face and wired arms and legs appears to represent a dark-skinned Latina; has a black straight mohair wig that extends to the waist. The wig is accented with red and white felt flowers on both sides of the face; painted-brown side-glancing eyes, a dimple in one cheek, painted red lips; wears a white peasant blouse and a red and beige polka dot three-tiered skirt, red belt, white half-slip with beige lace trim, organdy pantaloons with off-white eyelet trim; black sewn-on shoes have red felt soles.  Wears one beaded earring (the other earring -- if it was ever there -- is missing), black string-beaded necklace and bracelet; a gold-tone ring made from a sequin is sewn to the right ring finger. Has separately sewn fingers; the thumb and the index fingers are stitched to the sides of the skirt for the doll to hold the skirt up (while dancing).

A gold-tone sequin represents a ring. The thumb and index fingers are stitched to the three-tiered skirt.

Without any other distinct identifiers, it is difficult to pinpoint the ethnicity or nationality this doll represents. What ethnicity do you think she represents?

Who do I represent?

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There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.
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