DOLL

Object/Artifact

-

St. Joseph Museums

Doll: The image presents a wooden figurine depicting a small, stylized person with distinct features such as large, circular eyes and prominent ear decorations. The carving is detailed, highlighting the facial expressions and intricate headdress painted red. The figurine holds a painted shield adorned with red concentric circles and appears to be intricately crafted, showcasing detailed elements of traditional artistry. It stands on a dark fabric background, emphasizing the wooden texture and the colorful patterns of the shield, creating a visually striking contrast that draws attention to the artistry and craftsmanship of the figurine.
Doll

The image presents a wooden figurine depicting a small, stylized person with distinct features such as large, circular eyes and prominent ear decorations. The carving is detailed, highlighting the facial expressions and intricate headdress painted red. The figurine holds a painted shield adorned with red concentric circles and appears to be intricately crafted, showcasing detailed elements of traditional artistry. It stands on a dark fabric background, emphasizing the wooden texture and the colorful patterns of the shield, creating a visually striking contrast that draws attention to the artistry and craftsmanship of the figurine.

Name/Title

DOLL

Entry/Object ID

662/16126

Description

WITH SHIELD/NATIVE HAND CARVED

Collection

ETHNOGRAPHIC/AFRICA

Made/Created

Place

Continent

Africa

Ethnography

Culture/Tribe

Kenyan
African

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Doll

Nomenclature Class

Toys

Nomenclature Category

Category 09: Recreational Objects

Dimensions

Height

9 in

Parts

Count

1

Material

Wood

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Research Notes

Research Type

Researcher

Notes

This doll was likely carved by the Kamba people of Kenya. The carvings of this nature, that show figures from local everyday life, have been a staple of the curio trade of the Kamba people since 1910s. One man, Mutisya Mung, produced the first Kenyan carvings to foreign visitors and found that the market was huge for carvings of this nature. As he began selling his art to foreign visitors, a large economy focused around these carvings developed. This specific carving depicts a Maasai warrior. Ear lobe stretching is a common body modification completed by the Maasai people, men and women. While ear piercing is and was common in almost every community in Kenya, the reasons and actual process of piercing varied.