Religious Dolls
Back in ancient times, dolls often had religious meaning, and some professionals suggest that dolls were used for religious purposes before they were used as toys (Britannica). Today, especially for Christian faiths, dolls are used as more of an educational tool. Rather than being used as part of a religious ceremony, sometimes dolls like Jesus action figures are given to children so they can learn about faith through play. The market for Christian dolls and other toys exploded in the 1980s through the early 2000s, as there was a rise in Christian retail stores that were looking for products to reach children. Not everyone agrees with using Biblical figures as toys though, as some think that the production of these toys has more to do with moneymaking than educating. Some scholars even suggest that some religious child’s play could be iconoclastic in nature.
There are also dolls like the ones in this collection that have been produced, which are meant to depict different aspects of some faiths. For example, several kinds of nun dolls have been made over the years, dressed in their traditional habits. Some dollmakers and collectors see these kinds of dolls as a way to honor religious women, and from a historical standpoint, also a way to show how habits have been worn in the past. However, some Roman Catholic sisters have suggested that producing and selling nun dolls exploits them, as their image is then being used for moneymaking rather than helping those in need (Religion News Service).
This Cadette, standing 10 inches tall was created by Les Poupees. It was produced in the early to mid 20th Century in Nice, France. She has hand painted features, a lavish dress, and a cross around her neck. She is most likely a nun doll, as "Cadette" means "sister" in French.
This doll is dressed as a nun, a woman in the Catholic faith that decided to make vows of poverty and service. While she is wearing a habit, like the other nun doll in this exhibit, she also has a rosary around her waist. A rosary is a special way of praying and meditation in the Catholic Church, where the person who prays the rosary asks for the intercession, or prayers, of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
The doll depicts a clergyman of the Greek Orthodox Church. The headdress it wears matches the description of this church denomination, being a black kalimavkion with a flat top. The doll also wears a cross that resembles the cross used by the Greek Orthodox Church and its faithful.
This doll represents an order of a Catholic nun. The garment the doll is wearing is known as a religious habit. The habit can vary depending on the different orders of the nun. The head covering of the habit is known as a Christian veiling. A nun must take a vow of poverty, modesty, etc.; the veil shows others that she has taken her vows. It is also a symbol of purity and modesty. A nun will have a white veil for novitiates, and when the nun has taken their vows, they will wear a black veil. The cincture or the rope around the doll's waist is typically tied into three knots representing their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The meaning, types of knots, and color of the cincture can change depending on the nun's order.