Late 19th C Cloth Doll

The Cat Lady Antiques American Country Furnishings and Folk Art

Late 19th C Cloth Doll

I sold this doll some time ago and when I did I had mixed feelings and always thought I should have kept her. As fate would have it, the person I sold her to went into an assisted living facility and I was able to purchase her back and own her for a little while. As things go, I am buying very little for myself these days so I am offering her for sale.

She is entirely hand-sewn and her body, which is firmly stuffed with cotton batting, is made out of a heavy cotton twill while her face is fashioned of a fine homespun linen and her cloth hair out of black silk. She has a very expressive yet naively drawn pencil face, as well as a “tuft” of human hair. She stand 18 ½ inches tall and measures 4 ½ inches across the shoulders.

She has been re-dressed with a period skirt, blouse and scarf but comes with her original 1860’s dress which has a split up the center of the bodice to reveal the homespun backing within. Taking a piece of cloth from its ample hem and making a patch on the lining can probably fix this. The dress is wonderfully detailed in that it has stays inside the lining of the bodice that feels like bone, and a wonderful calico pocket inside the skirt. It is also painstakingly and finely hand-sewn, so I think it is worth the effort to restore it – but I will leave that to a more skilled seamstress than myself.

The 19th C clothing she now wears is primarily treadle sewn with some hand finishing. In addition to her original dress, she also still retains her original hand-made leather shoes, fine wool stockings and petticoat.

Judging by her clothing and construction, I would say she dates to the third quarter of the 19th C.

Originally purchased in New England, she is whimsical, wonderful and very, very folky!

Price: SOLD

The items featured here are a small sampling of our inventory. If you are looking for a particular item, it may be in the shop so don't hesitate to contact me. Also, do check the photos under the "Shop & Shows" feature page, as you may spot an item in one of them that speaks to your collecting sensibility.

Also, don't hesitate to ask for more photos of a piece..Or ask as many questions as you like about it.

Terms and Conditions of Sale:
Personal checks, money orders, cashiers checks. Personal checks require a 7 business day bank clearance period. Unless prior arrangements have been made, payment must be received within 7 days or item will be re-offered for sale.

I guarantee all items to be as described. I try to be as thorough and meticulous in my descriptions as possible, and will gladly send additional photos as well as answer any questions about a piece in order to avoid return of merchandise.

In the event there is a discrepancy with respect to an item's representation, I must be notified within 48 hours of receipt of the piece. Upon notification, and my approval, the item must be returned within 7 days in the condition it was received in order to receive a refund less shipping and insurance.

Taxes:
Pennsylvania residents must pay 6% sales tax unless they possess a valid resale number.

Shipping and Handling:
Purchaser is responsible for all shipping, handling and insurance costs. I ship via the best and lowest priced carrier for the piece. Pickup of items at The Black Angus in Adamstown, Pennsylvania is a possibility depending on circumstances.

Return to main page

Cat Lady Logo

All written content, photos and merchandise listed are the sole property of Anne M. Bedics and The Cat Lady Antiques and may not be reproduced in any facsimile without the author's/owner's permission.

© 2005-2013 The Cat Lady Antiques
Site design by PixelGraphix