US Native American-Type Display Doll: "Skookum" Doll

US Native American-Type Display Doll: "Skookum" Doll

Collection: Everyday Connections

Object Category: Dolls
Object Type: Display Dolls

Country: USA
Continent: North America
Geographic Region: North America
Materials: Wool, Leather, Plastic
width: 4 in; height: 12 in; depth: 3 in

This doll is not an authentic Native American doll, but instead was manufactured by Skookum Company. Her clothing may resemble that of the Apache Nation.

Beginning in 1914, Skookum dolls were manufactured in three styles: a male, a female and a female with a baby. The dolls' clothing represent different tribes, primarily from the Southwest USA. From the 1920s to the 1960s, a factory produced these dolls in the original styles, changing materials over the years. The dolls were usually sold in tourist spots. This doll was probably manufactured in the 1920s or 30s, based on her leather mocassins and composite head.

Skookums don't have arms but were wrapped with Indian style folded blankets so that it looked like they had folded arms.  Some had jewelry like earrings or bead necklaces, papooses, hair ties, cigarettes, headbands, kerchiefs, feathered headdresses and more. They will usually have the words "Skookum" stamped on the bottom of the plastic shoes or come with a tag that says "Skookum".
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skookum_doll

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