These are two examples of a large collection of textile costume dolls from the mid 20th century, due to be loaned from The Atkinson, Southport for our Objects of Desire exhibition.
Dolls in national dress were popular tourist collectables throughout the 20th century, produced as gifts for loved ones back home or keep as mementos.
They are less common nowadays, and often examples reflect outdated and harmful stereotypes of indigenous peoples.
Though they depict a romanticised image of the communities these dolls represent, the quality of these examples shine through, bursting with detail and decorative trim, with beautifully painted faces and soft hair.
