Paper Dolls: Horses and Soldiers1840–1850Each horse: 4 x 4 1/4 " (10.2 x 10.8 cm)
Each soldier: 4 x 2 " (10.2 x 5.1 cm)
Frame: 16 3/4 x 23 3/4 " (42.5 x 60.3 cm)Watercolor and ink on cut paper and cardGift of Pat and Dick Locke1981.8.1-11015219471981.8.1-4IR81.5Artist unidentifiedDrawingsToys and GamesThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain.http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster25990http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster12763http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster12319http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster12640BostonBostonUnited StatesMassachusettsTreasures of Folk Art: Museum of American Folk ArtWorks on PaperAmerican Folk Art MuseumBostonPaintingsA revolution in American attitudes toward children erupted in the years following the War of Independence. Influenced by the philosophies of the Enlightenment, there was a growing recognition of childhood as a separate stage of development with its own needs—both psychological and material. Clothing designed specifically for children to play in and an increasing number of toys and educational playthings were among the manifestations of the new culture of the child. These toys not only entertained, however, but prepared their young users for the roles they were to assume later in life. Horses, soldiers, hoops, and whips were appropriate for boys, while dolls, doll furniture, and other domestic props were clearly intended to guide young girls toward motherhood and keeping house. Some toys, such as games bound parents and children together and reinforced the nuclear family constellation that had emerged during this period.Object information is a work in progress and may be updated
with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art
Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orghttp://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster25990http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster12763http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster12319http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster12640http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster25990http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster12763http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster12319http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster12640http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster25990http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster12763http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster12319http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster126401981.8.1-4IR81.518401850 1981 8 1 11 PaintingsA revolution in American attitudes toward children erupted in the years following the War of Independence. Influenced by the philosophies of the Enlightenment, there was a growing recognition of childhood as a separate stage of development with its own needs—both psychological and material. Clothing designed specifically for children to play in and an increasing number of toys and educational playthings were among the manifestations of the new culture of the child. These toys not only entertained, however, but prepared their young users for the roles they were to assume later in life. Horses, soldiers, hoops, and whips were appropriate for boys, while dolls, doll furniture, and other domestic props were clearly intended to guide young girls toward motherhood and keeping house. Some toys, such as games bound parents and children together and reinforced the nuclear family constellation that had emerged during this period.Object information is a work in progress and may be updated
with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art
Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org