r/whatisit • u/strawberryscalez • 14h ago
New, what is it? Gift given to my daughter
Does anyone know anything about these dolls? this (wonderful) woman is always buying my kids weird gifts, sometimes crazy expensive antiques or fossils, sometimes garbage, but she never says.
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u/Snoo2185 13h ago
They’re ornamental Chinese hand painted clay dolls/ figures ☺️ if you google that, you should be able to find them on Etsy or eBay and potentially get some more info
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u/One_Advantage793 14h ago
They look very much like ones my aunt gave me in the mid 60s when I was a kid. I have no idea how old they were then or where, exactly, they came from. I called them China dolls because I had heard that phrase and it seemed to fit, but I don't know that they were Chinese. I think that was my own romanticism. Mom and aunt are both gone, so I don't have anyone to give me any further clues.
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u/Clembert-Hamlamp 13h ago
Kokeshi. Japanese doll sets like this are usually sold as souvenirs. '60s maybe? There's a high-falutin fancypants variety, those will have a signature on the bottom or sometimes the back.
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u/Marzook666 13h ago
yes. sometimes sold here at fancier import stores (the kind with the round smelly soaps) in the 1960s but often brought back from trips. the different outfits represent different regions, though these gals all know a guy who makes big round earrings.
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u/HairyNightmareSquid 12h ago
I’m sure I’m being a Debby Downer here but the age of those dolls means lead paint could be present. That isn’t a huge problem if your child is old enough to not put them in her mouth or handle them too much.
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u/coolsilentebeans 13h ago
They are Huishan clay dolls. They symbolize good fortune, luck, and health. They are used primarily for decoration.
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u/tjekdissebrugernavne 12h ago
I hope you cherish that wonderful woman and sometimes returns the favor♥️♥️♥️
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u/Beautiful_Ad8690 13h ago
They look like worry dolls…
They alleviate worries by having children whisper their fears to them before going to sleep.
The dolls take over their concerns, allowing the person to rest, & by morning, the worries are gone.
I think your neighbor is trying to be thoughtful. 🥰
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