Antique American Rag Doll, Art Fabric Mills New York, c.1900

🎃 An antique haunting presence…

Some old dolls are charming. Others have a story they’re keeping to themselves. 👀

An appealing early American cloth doll of goo size, stamped to the foot with the inscription:

“Art Fabric Mills, New York, Patented Feb 13th 1900.”

Produced around the turn of the 20th century, dolls of this type reflect an ingenious period in American toy manufacture, when printed textiles offered a distinctive alternative to traditional bisque and composition dolls.

This characterful example wears a pale dress with a gathered skirt and puffed sleeves, complemented by under-garments and dark fabric shoes. Its simple, traditional appearance gives it considerable charm as a collectible piece of antique Americana.

The patent inscription is a particularly interesting detail, linking the doll to the development of commercially produced cloth toys in the United States.

A lovely addition to a collection of antique dolls, early toys or American social history - and equally evocative displayed in a nursery-inspired interior, study or cabinet of curiosities...

… and spot the orb !

Details

• Origin: United States

• Maker: Art Fabric Mills, New York

• Type: Cloth / rag doll

• Date: Circa 1900–1910, subject to confirmation

• Mark: “Patented Feb 13th 1900” stamped to the foot

• Clothing: Pale dress, under-garments and dark fabric shoes (one buckle/stud missing)

Please refer to the photographs for the doll’s appearance and condition. As an early textile toy, age-related wear, fading or discolouration may be present; please ask if you require further condition details.

Worldwide shipping available.

Cobham Antiques - Extraordinary Things, Americana