There have been many "doll-like" human figures used for many types of purposes in ancient times. These may not be considered traditional dolls, but some were precursors of the modern concept of "dolls".

If you know of an antidote about ancient dolls, please let me know. After I get a lead on a potential ancient doll, I will try to track down scientific papers, and the location of the physical museum artifiacts before I'll report them here.

There are several things that I am particularly interested in learning more about ancient dolls:

• Who, When and Where was the "swiveling hinged ball joint" invented?

Was this joint invented by the early Romans or even earlier? This complex joint was carved in France, Bavaria, and the Alpine regions (clock working regions) and used on fabulous European Fashion dolls and early artist mannequins. It has been claimed and widely accepted that this joint was a German invention in the 18th century, but that can be disputed by early Roman wood dolls with the same joint carved centuries before. This joint is so well designed that a plastic version of this elegant joint is still used today. For example it is used in today's most popular 11-1/2" plastic fashion doll at the shoulder.
• There are common ritualistic uses of ancient dolls. It would be interesting to map these common cultural uses of "dolls" especially before extensive world trade.
• When did these objects become a "doll" by modern standards?

Dolls have been found in ruins of ancient Egypt often in the arms of children. These very early dolls were made of wood or clay. Many of the early dolls were one piece figures, but some of these early Egyptian dolls had jointed arms and legs.

Ushabti - Tomb Servant Figures

The Egyptians believed that large groups of these wood dolls would come to life at the command of Osiris and do the required work of the deceased. Depending on one's means, a tomb could contain hundreds of these figures representing slaves performing different tasks such as a boat rower. Typically seen during the Middle Kingdom, these small (5") figures show traces of paint on the body with black hair and painted eyes.

The British Museum has several examples of early Tomb Servant Figures in its collection.

In the 1968 book "DOLLS", Antonia Fraser states:

"The most famous examples of these early talismans are the Ushabti or funeral figures of the ancient Egyptian civilization. Once hailed by experts as prototypes of early doll figures, they have since been unanimously dismissed from this role by scholars and firmly established as having a purely religious significance. They represented in fact the Egyptian workers who were buried with their masters, to serve him in the life after death, as they had served him before it. The placing of these ritual figures exempted the real slaves from interment, so that the Ushabti, if not children's playthings, were at least symbols of early humanitarian feelings."

Tomb Servant Figure photos thanks to Ron Jeris Seven Seas Trading Company, Ltd.

Egyptian boat rower

Egyptian god Horus (as a child)

A beautifully carved oak doll was found in the Roman catacombs. This beautiful doll has carved hair in a Roman hair-do. Frankly no one really believed that this doll dated to Roman times.

This doll is currently stored in the Vatican museum. I am currently trying to get permissions to post a photograph of this doll.
 

need a photo of the Vatican oak doll from ancient Rome   need a photo of the Herculaneum Wood Doll 79 A.D. I need photos and permission to post photos of these dolls.

Herculaneum Wood Doll   "When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., it buried two towns. One of these was Pompeii, now among the most familiar archaeological sites in the world. The other was Herculaneum, a seaside resort on the beautiful Bay of Naples, which was home to the villas of wealthy Romans escaping the city stress. Herculaneum is buried as it is beneath concrete like material, the hardened volcanic mud which covered it 2,000 years ago and subsequent lava flows. Early excavations in the city were conducted by digging wells and tunnels into this rock and exploring for ancient treasures. Recent excavations have been made at the beach front, where many Herculaneum people fled with some of their valuables."  A recent TV documentary showed some of the work being done at the Pompeii and the Herculaneum sites. They have found remarkable objects from daily life and even a charred doll. At one point in this TV show, someone lifts a charred wooden doll up to the camera. This doll's shape and burned texture reminded me of an oak doll stored in the Vatican museum. I would like to do a comparison of the two: basic shape, body style, material used, jointing methods, and etc.

click photo to see full length image Syrian Doll from Roman Empire c. 1st-3rd Century AD photo thanks to Arlene Greenlaw

Syrian Doll from Roman Empire Arlene Greenlaw describes her bone figure as: Ancient Roman Doll or figure from Syria, 1st-3rd Century AD. Prepared from hollow animal bone, length 7". Features of face, carved in low relief, hair rendered by horizontal grooves. Small apertures (openings) on shoulders which originally held articulated arms. There has been some eroding of the bone on the side which leaves a 1 1/2" long opening with calcified bone, solidified sand or "?" in the opening. Purchased from Nottingham, England dealer in Aug, 1973. Note the holes drilled to attach the arms. Please Contact Us if you know any more about this doll.

 

Japan

need photos

Yayoi Period Dolls According to curators at a large Japanese museum, there are many Yayoi period (300 BC - 300 AD) wooden dolls on permanent display at the Azuchi Castle Museum of Archaeology in Shiga Prefecture. I am currently trying to find supporting photographs and get permissions to post photos of some them here. Wish me luck here!

China

Need photos and more info

Early Puppets "Wooden Dolls On Strings" Puppetry in China is rumored to have been "recorded since the Han Dynasty as a full-fledged form of amusement - at least 2,000 years ago." I'm trying to get more information here. Early Puppets "Wooden Automata" "The earliest Japanese Karakuri ("Automata") was shinan-sa which was brought to Japan by Chinese craftsmen in the 7th century. It's mechanism caused it to always turn toward the south." I'm trying to get more information here on early Chinese Automata and if these dolls continued to develop in China.

Eskimo

need photos

Early Talisman Dolls Very early depictions of the human form were carved in wood and used by shamans as talisman dolls. These were more like a "religious object" than a "doll". But they are worth noting since this religious / medicinal use of human depictions is quite common in many ancient and primitive cultures. In some cases they were the pre-cursors of dolls. These early "dolls" were often made from wood since it burns, and floats.