Female Doll

Mohave
ca. late 1800s

The Mohave community, or Pipa Aha Macav, mostly live along the Colorado River, spanning what is now the Arizona and California border. Mohave women made children’s toys such as clay animals and human dolls with traditional adult clothing and tattoo patterns.

The shape and design of Mohave figures emphasize body features considered important, such as outlining eyes to make them look larger. Both women and men's figures may wear a beaded necklace and earrings with either human or horse hair.

Clay, glass, beads, paint, fabric, hair. H 16, W 4 cm
Joshua Tree National Park, JOTR 421