Antique Chinese Door Of Hope Mission Doll, Early 20th Century

Finely hand-carved and dressed Chinese “Door of Hope Mission” doll, made in Shanghai circa 1905–1920.

The figure represents a Chinese gentleman or scholar, with a realistically carved wooden head and hands, and a cloth-stuffed body. The facial features are delicately rendered with subtle painted details typical of the Door of Hope Mission workshop.

Dressed in authentic miniature Chinese garments: a long traditional robe (changshan), pale trousers, and a black sleeveless vest with frog fastenings, all hand-sewn from period silks and cottons. The shoes are original fabric examples.

The Door of Hope Mission was a Protestant charity founded in Shanghai in 1901 to provide employment and independence to disadvantaged young women, who carved and dressed these dolls to represent traditional Chinese social types such as scholars, brides, and officials. Today they are regarded as historically important examples of early 20th-century Chinese folk art and missionary craftsmanship.

Condition: some condition issues, see photos — minor wear and soiling, slight losses to paint, missing queue, otherwise complete and original.

China, early 20th century.

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