Doll

Object/Artifact

-

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Doll

Entry/Object ID

SS.80.37 a

Description

a. "Belinda," doll with porcelain head and shoulders, leather forearms and stuffed cotton body and legs: well painted porcelain head with high forehead and black hair parted in the middle and done in ringlets; cheeks, lips, nostrils, and eyes painted or outlined in red; blue eyes with black pupils and eyebrows; porcelain head and shoulders attached to body by means of tapes which run through 6 holes; stuffed body seamed in front and in back; legs sewn on to body and seamed down the back; seams formerly at knees as well; upper arms of cotton with leather hands and forearms covered with twill tape on upper arms; upper arms seamed at shoulders. Hips 5 3/4 wide.

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Unknown

Attribution

Maker

Date made

1850 - 1860

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

SS.80.37
SS.80.37 A
SS.80.37

Dimensions

Dimension Description

A) Doll

Height

23-1/4 in

Width

7 in

Depth

3-1/4 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 23 1/4 x 7 x 3 1/4 in. (59.1 x 17.8 x 8.3 cm)

Material

Porcelain, Leather, Cotton, Hair

Condition

Notes

Remarks: Details of condition: 2 marks on head; parts of fingers on left hand missing; small, random stains on cotton body.

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Theresa Romeyn Beck Irving (1848-1926)

Notes

Former owner

Person or Organization

Mrs. Robert P. Browne

Notes

Former owner

General Notes

Note Type

Curatorial Remarks

Note

On the name "Belinda": Jean Mason Browne, the donor of this doll, refers to the doll as Belinda in a letter to curator Joseph Butler dated 111/3/1980, "...and here's the information on Belinda, the doll I have given the restoration... She belonged to Mrs. Cortlandt Irving [Theresa Romeyn Beck] -- wife of Washington Irving's great nephew -- Cousin 'Teddy' Irving gave her to my mother for me when I was a baby -- I played with her and throughly enjoyed dressing her in her extensive wardrobe ... Anyway, I hope Belinda enjoys her new home -- and is a good girl." Obviously the donor knew her as Belinda, but how far that name goes back in the doll's history is unclear, possibly not beyond Mrs. Browne. It is also unclear who Cousin Teddy was (possibly Mrs Cortland Irving, or another Theresa?). Letter states: "She was related to us through the Becks." [Jessa J. Krick, Collections Manager, 3/15/2017].

Note Type

General Note

Note

Doll has extensive wardrobe of clothing (SS.80.37 b-pp).

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Sunnyside, Tower Bedroom, Second Floor, Not specified