Original Skookum Doll ~ Mother with her Papoose

This stunning Skookum female doll is 16" tall. She carries her papoose on her back.  Mama has a human hair wig in braids, bead earrings, a folded Beacon blanket and tanned deerskin boots decorated with paint.  Her torso, legs and feet are pine; her head is composition.  Skookums never have arms.  They are always covered with their blankets.  

Baby has a horsehair wig, a beaded necklace and twill decoration. The eyes of both Mama and Baby are looking to the side.  This was customary among the Native Americans who thought it in poor taste to stare into the eyes of  those who were not close to them.  Both mother and baby's eyes are looking to the right. 

Highly collectible, especially with the papoose and of this size.  Skookum dolls were dressed with respect paid to the costume of the Native Americans. The blankets are wool and are Beacon, the boots are real hide, unless they are painted on.  Dresses were flour sacking; males wore leather leggings.  In the very early skookums, you may find  boots sometimes made of masking tape and heads were sometimes made of dried apples.  

The Skookum was created by Mary McAboy of Montana, who filed patents for them in 1913 & 1914.  By 1920, the dolls had become so popular, Ms. McAboy partnered with H. H. Tannem Co. in Colorado to keep up with the demand.   The original intent in making these dolls was twofold:  for the tourism trade and also for teachers to use as learning aids, representing the culture and customs of Native Americans.  Questions?  Please email anytime.