How interesting!!! A two-headed reversible doll, commonly known as the Topsy-Turvy doll.
The doll sports a head at either end of its body.
When held vertically, a full skirted-dress falls to conceal the doll’s alternate identity.
To switch dolls, one simply flips it over to reveal the other side.
OF NOTE:
The Topsy-Turvy design dates back to before the American Civil War, when many of these dolls were actually mixed race – white on one side, black on the other.
Often they featured a well-turned mistress of the house, backed by a raggedly dressed black servant.
According to expert collector Jamila Jones, some of these dolls were sold with the slogan, “Turn me up and turn me back, first I'm white, and then I'm black.”
While some historians believe that the dolls were cleverly concealed toys for slave children who may not have been allowed to play with black dolls (which were illegal during apartheid), others believe that they were given to white children to serve as maids to the other dolls.
Either way, they reflected the striking contrasts between the two roles and the disparities in the treatment each received.
Kimberly Wallace-Sanders, a professor with Emory University, points out that the apartheid ban on black dolls signaled the political and moral potency of the doll in its time.
She asks, “Why would you ban a doll if it wasn’t so powerful?”, suggesting that the oppositional characters helped children to learn their own roles in society (Siek, 2003).
HIGHLY DESIRABLE COLLECTIBLE.
Shipping weight: 13 oz.
FREE gift wrapping available upon request.
*NOTE:
US Parcel Post has been taking longer than usual, especially for the larger packages. If you need faster delivery, please opt for Priority Mail as I have no control over the shipping time once the package is deposited at the Post Office.
International Buyers:
You may be required to pay a "CUSTOMS CHARGE". You are responsible for any and all customs charges. This cost is out of my control and is based on the policies of your country.
Thank you for visiting Arise Gifts.
My "Dolls, Bears and Other Critters" come from thrift shops, close-out-sales or are gift shoppe display items that have been taken out of their boxes - I make certain they are in "new" or "like new" clean condition.
