Not currently on display at the V&A

Salome Topsey Moss

Doll
1890-1893 (made)
Artist/Maker
Simon & Halbig (makers)
Place of origin
Germany (made)

Bisque shoulder head with fixed glass eyes and a brown hair wig. Leather body jointed at knees and elbows, with Bisque lower arms. The doll represents a mixed race girl. Her clothes consist of a crepe overblouse and skirt, she also has a selection of white underwear including a pair of white cotton open-leg drawers, brown stockings and white shoes. Around her neck is a necklace of yellow glass beads.


Object details

Categories
Christmas Presents
Dolls & Toys
Children & Childhood
Object type
Doll
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Doll
  • Character Doll
  • Doll's Clothing
TitleSalome Topsey Moss (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Bisque, leather, glass, cotton, wool, hair
Bisque
Leather
Glass
Cotton (Textile)
Wool
Hair
Brief description
Bisque doll with kid leather body inscribed 'Salome Topsey Moss/ Xmas 1893, representing a mixed race girl; made in Germany by Simon & Halbig ca.1893
Physical description
Bisque shoulder head with fixed glass eyes and a brown hair wig. Leather body jointed at knees and elbows, with Bisque lower arms. The doll represents a mixed race girl. Her clothes consist of a crepe overblouse and skirt, she also has a selection of white underwear including a pair of white cotton open-leg drawers, brown stockings and white shoes. Around her neck is a necklace of yellow glass beads.
Dimensions
  • Height: 43cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Salome Topsey Moss/Xmas 1893'
  • 'Made in Germany' (stamped on bottom of shoes)
Object history
Purchased from Mrs Alicia J Culverwell in 1978 [77/2385] along with MISC.75-1978, and MISC.77 to 84-1978. Mrs Culverwell found the objects in whilst clearing the house of her great aunt, who is presumed to have been the original owner.
Collection
Young V&A Collection
Accession number
MISC.76-1978

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1120768/salome-topsey-moss-doll-simon--halbig/
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