Asia costume dolls

ASIA

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AFGHANISTAN

Traditional afghan costume doll

AZERBAIJAN

These dolls are part of " friendship of people series" by Rosigrushka. They were manufactured in Moscow in Soviet times. They manufactured dolls which represented different regions of the Soviet union the following dolls depict the costumes of the country we now know as Azerbaijan

BAHRAIN

Hand made doll of clay and rubber, she is wearing a robe and black veil. She was made in 1973

This doll is wearing a traditional dress from Bahrain. This type of doll is made in India but dressed to represent the arab kingdom of Bahrain. She is wearing a black cloak called abaya over western style clothing. A veil covers her face

BANGLADESH

A family of three hand made costume dolls made of jute fibre

A wedding couple wearing traditional wedding attire

BHUTAN

The following four dolls were hand made in the late 50's by tibetan refugees at the tibetan refugee self help centre in Darjeeling, India. Darjeelling lies on the border with Bhutan. Although they were made in Darjeeling they represent the people of Bhutan and the Himalayas

CAMBODIA

( Puppet )

Beautiful doll/puppet in a truly excuisit outfit. . Wooden head, hands, and feet. Painted feattures. His outfit is highly decorated with colis of gold beads and sequins set into diamond shapes. This doll was brought back for me from Cambodia in early 2000's by my parents

CHINA

This doll may not be dressed in the most traditional chinese costume. She is from the chinese border with Kyrgyzstan. That explains the costume which is very similar to the ones people in Kyrgystan wear

Two cute chinese costume dolls made out of the typical chinese blue and white porselain

Beautiful porselaine doll with glass eyes, Her outfit , Cheung Sam symbolizes excellent workmanship in Chinese textiles. She is sitting on a Chinese style stool. She is wearing a classic headpiece in the Ching fashion. It shows the wealth and status by the amount of jewellery and ornaments

Beautiful porselaine doll with glass eyes, Her outfit , Cheung Sam symbolizes excellent workmanship in Chinese textiles. She is sitting on a Chinese style stool playing a traditional Chinese instrument. She is wearing a classic headpiece in the Ching fashion. It shows the wealth and status by the amount of jewellery and ornaments

Traditional chinese sponge doll brought back to me in the early 80's

Chinese face changing doll. This particular doll is the panda face off. These dolls represent the Sichuan opera face changing characters. The Sichuan opera is the most distinctive Bashu art and culture

Very old traditional chinese composition doll

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These two lovely dolls depict two chinese fishermen

EAST TIMOR

Harmony Doll

This doll may look more like one from the Caribbean but it is hand made by women artisans from Boneca de Atauru, a co-operative in East Timor. This doll is filled with kapok, a fibre found inside a tree found in East Timor. The clothes are made of tais, a traditional East Timor fabric. These dolls represent the harmony between different cultures around the world. This doll has two sides, a black one and a white one. Which is saying "though our color is different, we are all the same on the inside"

HONG KONG (China)

Cloth doll representing a man from Hong Kong

This cute little Hong Kong hand made doll is actually a magnet but thought she would make a better addition to my doll collection instead. She was brought back for me from Hong Kong in December

INDIA

This doll represents a Kathak dancer, one of the oldest and one of the eight forms of indian classical dance. This dance originates from northern India

These are not authentic indian dolls. They were distributed by the wash detergent OMO in the early 70's. These 2 little dolls represent India

Traditional indian snake charmer

Rajasthan

Hand made traditional doll representing a Sikh. Sikhhism is the fifth largest organized religion in the world

Rajasthan (Puppet)

Rajasthan

Rajasthan

Manipur Provence

This costume doll represents a dancer from the Manipur provence. She is holding cymbals. She is aprox. made in 1955

This costume doll represents a snake charmer

Two Bhangra dancers. This is a type of folk dance which originates from the Punjab area. It is done in the season of harvesting. Bhangra is especially associated with the vernal Valsakh festival performed during harvest season between April and the first quarter of May

This costume doll represens a Manipuri dancer

This costume doll represents a Maratha woman

( Puppets )

Rajasthan

INDONESIA

Wajang Golek doll

Wajang Golek doll

Wajang Golek doll

This doll represents a Barong dancer. The Barong dance is a dance about the fight between good and evil. The Barong is a large mythologic creature like lion

This doll represents an indonesian street vendor and is made out of some form of clay

This doll represents an indonesian street vendor and is made out of some form of clay

Jakarta

Traditional plastic tourist doll from Jakarta

Ambon

Traditional couple in authentic dress from the indonesian island Ambon

Jogya, Java

Traditional plastic tourist doll from the city of Jogya in Java

Plastic indonesian doll. I was told that she represents a bride. I'm not sure which part of Indonesia she is from

Lombok

Wooden carved doll from the island of Lombok, Indonesia

Wajang Golek doll

Wajang Golek doll

Wajang Golek doll

These are not authentic indonesian dolls. They were distributed by the wash detergent OMO in the early 70's. These 2 little dolls represent Indonesia

Wajang Golek doll

This doll represents Queen Shinta. In the Ramay and classical story, she was Rama's wife, she was skipped by Rahwana ( Gigantic King ) She was released by her husband and helped by Hanoman ( white monkey ), to prove she was still a virgin, she was burned by her husband but the fire did not harm her, hence proving her innocence

This doll represesnts King Rama. In the Ramayan classical story, he was Shinta's husband. His wife was kidnapped by Rahwana ( Gigantic king ). With the help of Hanoman ( The white monkey ), he released her however he had doubts to whether or not his beloved was still a virgin. To prove her innoncence Rama granted her requuest to burmn her but the fire unharmed her so that proved she was still a virgin

Bali

Dolls of the world

These dolls form part of the porselaine dolls of the world series. Not authentic indonesian dolls but think they are cute. The one on the right represents Indonesia. The one on the left i have no clue

Wajang Golek doll

These are not authentic indonesian dolls. They were distributed by the wash detergent OMO in the early 70's. These 2 little dolls represent Indonesia

Tau Tau Dolls

South Sulawesi

Tao Tao dolls made by the Toraja people in Indonesia

Wajang Golek doll

Sumatra

Indonesian couple from Sumatra representing the Minangkabau people, an ethnic group also known as Minang or Padang living in West Sumatra

IRAN

Hand made iranian doll of a woman carrying a baby on her back

Qashqai

Kurdistan

Kurdish

Doll made in Iran, wearing the traditional costume of the Kurdish people(Kurds)

Lorestan Bakhtiari

This doll represents the Bakhtan people living in the Lorestan province

This doll represents an Imam, You can not see it very clearly in this picture but he is holding prayer beads in his left hand

IRAQ

Baghdad

Baghdad

Kurdistan

This doll represents a street vendor. She sells food

This doll is from North Iraq, a male belonging to the kurds ethnic group, hr is carrying a dagger in his belt

ISRAEL

Hand made costume doll of a woman lighting the shabbat candles

Sabra doll

Jerusalem

This is a Sabra doll of a lady from Jerusalem holding an earthenware dish

Traditional doll holding the torah

Sabra doll

This is a Sabra doll of a jewish man holding the torah

Hand made doll of a jewish man

Jerusalem

This doll, made in Israel represents a palestinian lady in Jerusalem

Jerusalem

This doll, made in Israel represents a palestinian lady in Jerusalem

Jerusalem

This doll represents a palestinian lady in Jerusalem

Sabra doll

Kibutz doll

Jerusalem

This doll represents a palestinian lady in Jerusalem

Sabra doll

Jerusalem

This doll represents a palestinian lady in Jerusalem

Hand made costume doll of a woman lighting the shabbat candles

Traditional doll holding the torah

Sabra doll

Traditional doll holding the torah

Kibutz lady

Sabra doll

This doll depicts a yemenite jew

Sabra dolls

Sabra doll

This doll depicts a yemenite jew

JAPAN

Very old japanese doll probably from the 30's and represents a Ichimatsu ningyo doll

Kokeshi Doll

Kimmi Doll

Hand made wooden traditional kokeshi doll

Samurai warrior

Very old japanese doll probably from the 30's and represents a Ichimatsu ningyo doll

Geisha

Two Japanese geisha women

She is performing the dance of the seven hats (Dojoji)

Kokeshi Doll

Geisha

Kimekomi Doll

Hillbilly Hobo Doll

Not really a national doll. These Hillbilly Hobo dolls childrens toys were made in Japan and honestly he was too cute to resist.

JORDAN

This doll is made out of plastic in traditional jordanian costume. Purchased in Jordan in the early 90's

Two hand made and hand painted wooden costume dolls of a jordanian couple

KAZAKHSTAN

This doll is wearing a traditional costume, she made out of a sponge like material. She was purchased in Kazachstan in 2002

KOREA ( North )

These dolls are a rare find. I did not think I would ever find north korean dolls. They are made of composition and represent Kim II Sung and his wife

KOREA ( South )

Bradley Doll

Bradley import company imported dolls made in Korea or Japan, This particular one was made in Korea. This doll was probably made in 1977. They were imported from Korea and sold in giftshops and possibly catalog companies such as Sears or Montgomery

Bradley Dolls

Traditional south korean woman dancing to the changku. The changku is Korea's traditional drum. Her dress is traditional when performing the korean dance

KUWAIT

KYRGYZSTAN

Felt doll depicting a family

This lovely piece is made out of felt

made out of felt

This lovely lady is made out of felt

The bodies are little round balls made out of felt and the clothes are made out of goats wool. They are beautifully embroiderd

LAOS

Vientianne

This is one of my favorite dolls! She depicts a lady from the Akha tribe in Laos

Traditional hand made lebanese costume dolls. They have rubber bodies and clay heads. They were purchased in Lebanon in the early 90's

MALAYSIA

Sarawak, Borneo

These 3 lovely little dolls are from the malaysian part of Borneo. Borneo is subdivided into two parts the Indonesian and Malaysian part. Their bodies are pipe cleaners covered with thin wool and the heads are felt covered with tiny embroiderd features. They have black wool hair

MONGOLIA

Hand made wooden doll with painted features

MYANMAR

( Puppet )

Hand made puppet from Birma. I was told that this is an old doll

( Puppet )

NEPAL

This set of dolls represent a Dulha (groom) and Dulahi( bride). The male dress is called Daura Surwal and is made from special fabrics from Dhaka. The female dress is called Sadi and Gunyu choli. These costumes are the most traditional during the marriage ceremonies all over Nepal

nepal devil dancer

OMAN

This is one of my favorite costume dolls, a cloth doll in traditional costume

PAKISTAN

PALESTINE

These costume dolls were hand crafted by deaf men and women in the Atfaluna Crafts Center, an income generation program of Atfaluna Society for deaf Children in the Gaza Strip

Ramallah

PHILIPPINES

Manila

1930's cloth doll representing a Baclaran lady. She is wearing a gown, spikes, heels and pearls

Puerto Galera

Hand made wooden carved doll brought back for me from Puerto Galera, Philippines. I'm not sure who or what this figure represents. It looks more like a doll that would be found in Papua New Guinea. This Figure might possibly been made by the Igorot people

She represents the indigenous people from the mountain provence called the Igorota

QATAR

These dolls are quite unique. Nesting dolls are usually only seen in Russia. I was quiet pleased to find these beautiful wooden hand painted dolls. They form a set of ten dolls featuring a variety of male and female figurines and the smallest being a camel. This doll was sent to me by a friend in Qatar.

Nesting doll

RUSSIA

Porselain doll representing Boris Gudonov, a famous Tsar during the russian transition fase. An opera is written about him in which the famous opera singer Chaliapin played the role of Boris Gudonov

This woman represents a Boyard's wife

Republic of Bashkortostan

Traditional costume dolls from the Republic of Bashkortostan, the largest republic of Russia situated south of the Ural mountains

St. Petersburg

Hand made wooden doll with painted features and colorful costume

Moscow

Traditional russian costume doll representing a lady from Moscow

Siberia

De Agustini dolls

7 porselaine dolls ade by the well known De Augustini dolls. These particular dolls are from "ladies of the past"series

This doll is made of composition and represents a russian guard

St. Petersburg

This joker doll was purchased in Saint Petersburg he represents a jester

This wooden piece Represent's Pushkins famous tale "The tale of the fisherman and the fish"

Traditional russian costume doll. She is made out of a sponge like material

This doll represents a russian snow princess. Hand made and wooden face. Her body is made of a sponge like material

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St. Petersburg

This wooden piece Represent's Pushkins famous tale "The tale of the fisherman and the fish"

This porselain doll is actually a Christmas tree ornament but thought it would make a better addition to my doll collection instead

Hand made russian cloth costume dolls

These costume dolls represent a russian couple. They are made of wood and fibre and have painted features

Wooden hand painted russian doll

Christmas tree ornament

Wooden hand painted russian doll

This doll is dressed in traditional russian dress, She is actually a tea pot warmer

This doll is one of large series produced by a russian toys company " Moscow's fabrika after 8 of March" depicting russian provinces, This particular doll represents the Kurskaya province ( city Kursk)

Kurskaya

These dolls are two of a large series produced by a russian toys company " Moscow's fabrika after 8 of March" depicting russian provinces, These particular dolls represents the province Kalyshskya, The city Kaluga

Kalyshskya

This doll is one of a large series produced by a russian toys company " Moscow's fabrika after 8 of March" depicting russian provinces, This particular doll represents the province Mordva

Mordva

Christmas tree ornament

SAUDI ARABIA

SINGAPORE

Two costume dolls off to the market in Singapore

Tradititional singaporean handmade doll

Handmade Satay woman. This doll depicts a singaporean stall holder, who cooks satay while you wait. In front is the small stove in which she cooks the satay

Handmade Samsui woman

SRI LANKA

This woman is working hard on the tea plantation, it appears that she is picking leaves

( Puppet )

Traditional hand made and hand painted puppet

( Puppet )

Traditional hand made and hand painted puppet

A pair of Kandy dancers

SYRIA

TAIWAN

The following 8 dolls are made out of pipe cleaners dressed in traditional chinese clothes. They come in plastic test tubes

TAJIKISTAN

Porselain doll dressed in a traditional tajik wedding suit

THAILAND

This lady represents a fruit vendor

A pair of Lakorn dancers

( pen holder )

The pen on the right probably represents the Hmong Lai, and the one pen on the left probably represents Hmong Lisu

A doll from the north of Thailand she represents a Kayan Padaung lady carrying a baby on back

This doll represents a lady from the white meo tribe

Khon drama Ramayana character doll, he story of the Khon is the story of Ramo the indian hero who is immortalized in the hindu epic Ramayana of Valmiki. The thai version is called "Ramakien"

Lakhon dancer

A doll from the north of Thailand she represents a Kayan Padaung lady

a set of Lakhon dancers

TIBET

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Handmade doll representing a monk made by Samkje in Llasa

This doll was made by a child using his fathers tie and sock

TURKEY

Probably the most common turkish folk dolls are these beautiful dolls hand made in Soganli, Vadisi in Cappadoccia. Originally Soganli were made as childrens toys from wood and pieces of old fabric. With the tourism in Cappadoccia these dolls have become a beloved souvenir and are now sold all over Turkey

Antalya

Traditional turkish Pasha doll

TURKMENISTAN

De Agustini doll

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Antalya

Antalya

She is feeding the birds. This doll was made in the 80's

To be continued on the next page:

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