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Item: BBDoll

Description from the artist:

European tastes and materials such as steel needles, threads wool cloth and metal objects had a huge effect on native art forms. Native dolls are an excellent example of both influences.

The use of trade items such as trade silver arm bands, formerly made of deer rib bones, iron trade knife in the neck sheath rather than flint and Venetian glass beads instead of labor intensive shell and stone beads all show European influences.

The wool leggings and breech clout along as well as the above mentioned objects are native form and creation, but it's the maker's decision to use trade materials to make these objects rather than native materials which shows the effect the Europeans had on Native art.

European tastes and wants created cottage industries and dictated what to make. The Huron and Maliseet did moose hair embroidery on bark and cloth, the Mic Mac did quilled bark boxes with spruce root, wool splint baskets, beaded whimsies just to name a few. All of these items were taken back to Europe to show family and friends the "curious objects wrought by the savages".

The production of Native Dolls was an excellent means of showing Europeans how the natives dressed and their ornamentation, and at the same time good economically for the native peoples.

One thing I realized upon completing the doll was that all dolls made for tourist trade were fully clothed from head to toe so as not to offend Europeans sensibilities with nakedness. Human nakedness is very present on objects made for native use only, wooden ladle handles, ceremonial dolls, pipe bowls etc.

The materials I have used in making the doll are the same as used by the early natives. The techniques used for quillwork, beadwork and clothing constructions are identical to those used on all full size original clothing and ornamentation.

Height: 14"
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