Paddle Doll

Middle Kingdom

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 109

This “paddle doll” was found in Tomb MMA 818 along with another fragmentary example of the same type. Like most of these objects, the figure had a keyhole shaped torso; it once likely had rudimentary arms, but these are now missing. Nipples are painted on the chest, a broad collar is drawn around the neck, and a geometrically patterned garment covers the body above a large pubic triangle. This doll also has three tattoos representing birds painted on its torso, two on the front below the garment and one on the back. The head was originally made of black pitch.

For more on paddle dolls, see 15.10.90 and 31.3.35a, b.

Paddle Doll, Wood, paint

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