#58 Chinese Buddhist Priest Doll

Object/Artifact

MMN Estate Inventory

Entry/Object ID

058 Chinese

Description

A traditional Chinese Buddhist priest doll produced by the Door of Hope Mission in Beijing, circa 1920. The figure features a finely carved sandalwood face and hands, with delicately painted facial features, a serene expression, and a shaved head characteristic of Buddhist monastic practice. Dressed in a simple saffron-yellow robe of textured cotton or linen, the garment features wide sleeves, an overlapping collar, and a side-tie closure. The doll exemplifies the craftsmanship of the Door of Hope Mission, a charitable institution established to provide shelter, education, and vocational training for disadvantaged Chinese women and girls. Its finely detailed construction and historically accurate clothing reflect the mission's celebrated tradition of producing dolls depicting figures from everyday Chinese life and society during the early twentieth century.

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1920

Time Period

Early Republic Period

Location

Room

CEN Bedroom

Building

2660 S Birmingham Place

Acquisition

Acquisition Method

Purchase

Amount Paid

$700.00

Date

Mar 1, 1994

Acquired From

Jon Eric Riis

Name/Title

#58 Chinese Buddhist Priest Doll