Name: Martha Chase-inspired Doll
Made by and When: Crystal Moshier, 1997
Material: Oil-painted cloth over a sculpted head, black painted cloth upper arms and legs, oil-painted cloth lower arms and legs, black-painted cloth body
Marks: The artist’s signature in white letters, Crystal Moshier / 21 1997, is on the lower backside.
Height: 22 inches (measured); the number 21 on the doll’s bottom might be its original height.
Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Faintly painted black hair, inset brown eyes, sculpted nose, and painted full lips
Clothes: White gown with light blue smocking at the neckline and sleeves, white pants, white booties, and a straw hat
Other: Crystal Moshier (1933 – 1921) made this Martha Chase oil-painted stockinette-inspired doll in 1997. The sculpted head and neck are covered with oil-painted cloth. The applied ears are cloth, a Martha Chase doll characteristic. Described as “a talented crafter who was well-known for her reproductions of antique dolls, which she sold at various doll and craft shows,” black dolls by Crystal Moshier are quite rare in today’s market.
Gallery (Photos courtesy of DOLL KINGDOM US)
Martha Jenks Chase (1851 – 1925) was a 19th century doll designer and manufacturer of durable children’s dolls. Read more about Chase here.
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