Pedlar doll, English, 1830-1840

white kid head, stitched with black threads for the eyes and brows, and red for the mouth; the nose has a wood panel under the kid to indicate the shape; hair is a strip of white wool attched on a wire to the sides of the face and at some time has been stitched to the cheeks; the band of hair is covered with gathered silk net and the whole head is covered with a dark beige silk stiff brimmed bonnet of the 1830s style; the rest of the boody is wood partly padded; with thin slightly padded arms and legs over a wire armature; the remains of the hands are kid
doll is dressed in a red wool cloak with the hood lined with the remains of pale blue silk; part of the bodice, sleeves and skirt of cotton printed in brown decorative pattern, again of the 1830s; a quilted petticoat of blue silk, much faded in parts; a coarse linen petticoat; linen pocket attached to waist and an apron of silk gauze, damaged; legs are stitched to the base of the wooden body with the right one have white linen around it and the left blue cotton (these might be a later 'modesty' addition) and black stockings; to the waist line is also attached a glass and red paper lantern
inside the skirt is stitched a label
*each foot has a nail which would have been used to attach the doll to a stand, the common practice of CH White
the basket of wares is a rectangle of card with a semicircular wire handle covered with the remains of white cotton threads; to the top of the basket and along three sides have been sewn 'wares' which include habedashery, gloves, necklaces, playing cards, lace, scissors, sponge, balls, graters, books and bellows

Given by Paul Campion

Mary Spokes of Duston, born in 1870, grandmother of the donor
Molly Spokes of Upton Mill, born 1909, donor's mother

CH White of Milton near Portsmouth. This doll is very similar to those made by White although the stand for the doll, which would have been marked, is missing

Reason For Production: retail

This pedlar doll was made around 1830-1840 in England. It was probably produced by C.H. White of Milton, near Portsmouth, as he was one of the few commerical producers of dolls such as this. However, the original stand is missing making it difficult to identify.

The doll is wearing a cream-coloured outfit with a bright red cape. Her head is made from kid leather and has stitched-in facial features to make her look more lifelike. Her basket of wares feature treasures such as gloves, necklaces, scissors, playing cards, balls, and bellows, among other items.

B.2:1-2001