Antique Old African American Folk Art Black Doll Store Display Mannequin 1940

This is an exceptionally rare and historically significant Antique Old African American Folk Art Black Doll Store Display Mannequin, likely dating to the 1940's - early 1950's. This store display mannequin features an African American child, wearing lavender hued overalls made from cotton canvas, and an original pair of period leather motorcycle boots.

The overalls are hand-painted, along with the body and face of the mannequin itself. The face and hair of this piece utilizes applied gesso, which has been painted to give this artwork its facial features, texture and brown colored eyes. Approximately 52 inches tall x 18 1/2 inches wide (elbow to elbow) x 13 inches deep. Almost 4 1/2 feet tall! The hand-made metal base is approximately 15 inches wide x 14 inches deep.

Good condition for decades of age and display use, with some mild gesso loss, scuffs, scratches, paint loss, and small tears to the original hand-made canvas overalls. The two original hands are missing, and the arms are also detachable please see photos. The mannequin's right arm is easily removeable, but his left arm is firmly affixed to the artwork, and I have not tried to remove it. This is without a doubt the best African American child mannequin I have ever seen, anywhere. Due to the large size and heavy weight of this piece, S&H costs will be unavoidably high.

Acquired from an old eclectic antique collection in Los Angeles County, California. If you like what you see, I encourage you to make an Offer. Please check out my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks!

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