Possibly the doll is the oldest toy in history of humanity. Specimens have been found in dated Egyptian tombs 2,100 years BC In some cases the dolls were religious or magical objects so that children could learn to relate to divinity, in others, they were not exactly a toy since they represented people who had to accompany a deceased person to the afterlife. They used to be images of babies, girls or women, and they could be made of very different materials. Designed especially for girlsintended in many cases to train them for the subsequent tasks as a mother. Nowadays, this vision of life has been overcome, dolls and dolls are given boys and girls alike. Let’s see how they were dolls throughout history.
Dolls throughout history
The egyptian dolls were made made of wood and were made of one piece. But dated 200 years BC. C. articulated dolls with interchangeable clothes have been found. The Greeks100 years AD, they made them clay and also articulated on shoulders and hips. In the latter case, it is known from various writings that they were already considered simply toys.
The roman girls They also had dolls mobiles for your enjoyment. They were made of ivory, bone, wood, wax and even plaster. The Romans, if a child died, used to bury him with his toys or represent them on the tombstone. There was a custom in ancient Rome for young women, when they got married, to take the altars of Venus the dolls that they had used during their childhood. In this photograph we see a Roman articulated doll made of ivory; next to him a Barbie. There isn’t that much difference, isn’t there?
The most popular were the rag ones, since they were made in homes from old pieces of cloth. In it XVII centuryincredible wooden dolls known as «Queen Anne», they could be made by specialized craftsmen or simply by skilled parents. But since XV century had spread through Europe doll making.
In it 19th century in Germany today’s true industry was born. Porcelain heads began to be produced, with painted hair, which were attached to fabric or leather bodies. From there the toy evolved, giving rise to dolls with natural hair, who opened and closed their eyes, articulated to walk and even edison designed a small device that made them say «dad» and «mom.»
Currently there are dolls of all kinds and with endless mechanisms that make them talk, laugh, eat, relieve themselves, ride a bicycle… and their faces are increasingly more realistic. In many cases they have stopped being toys and become collectors item.
The dolls that were made over the centuries in Africa, Asia or America deserve a separate chapter. True wonders, examples of popular art from very rich cultures. We will talk about them another time. And now tell us, did you have a favorite doll? Do you still have it?
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Image: AndreasPraefcke,