Treasures from Our West: Native American toy

Originally featured in Points West in Fall 2007

Native American toy doll and horse

The first dolls made by Lakota and other Plains Indian tribes were simple figures of clay or rawhide cutouts stuffed with buffalo hair or grass. They were typically made by grandparents and rarely had much detail so features could be left to a child’s imagination.

The detail in doll clothing helped an Indian girl learn her family’s way of making household objects. Dolls, then, reflected the style of clothing in fashion at a particular time for a particular tribe. Once trade goods were obtainable (fabric, beads, etc.), clothing for people and dolls became more complex.

Northern Plains doll and horse, ca. 1900. Constructed of cloth, tanned deer hide, beads, horse hair, and pigment. Gift of Ms. Lucile M. Wright. NA.507.18

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