Hickory nut doll made by formerly enslaved man, Obadiah Beverly

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

This doll was handmade by Obadiah Beverly, known as Obe, a formerly enslaved man in Virginia. The doll is composed of a hickory nut, wooden stick, fabric and lace. The nut, used for the head, is wrapped in a section of faded cotton cloth, with part of the nut surface exposed as the face. The fabric is gathered together under the nut by a piece of lace, wound several times around the object. The body of the doll is a stick wrapped in cotton cloth. The doll's skirt is made of a gathered section of cream colored cotton cloth with a faded pattern.

Explore Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture ↗