Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-27

Queen Victoria gave to this branch has
had far reaching effects" she explains.
The interesting collection that Miss Daw-
son found in America and has annexed to
her own is that owned by Mrs. Laura r.
Starr, who was at one time editor OF
Dorcas. Mrs. Starr travelled about tho
world for six years and during that time
gathered most Of her collection. which at
present numbers some 800.
Like most collections it began casually,
the gift 20 her of a doll at Christmas time
in Japan as a joke from a friend being
the nucleus. When she reached London
and saw Queen Victoria's collection and
realized how deeply attached the women
of England were TO the idea of using the
doll in all sorts Of philanthropic and
educational movements, she determined
to emulate the royal example. She is very
proud of the fact that each one Of the
dolls has come directly from the country
IL represents and is in the majority Of
cases a specimen Of native work.
There are all sorts Of Christmas dolls
in the cases. The most interesting are
a beautiful madonna doll and bambino
which were carried in one Of the religious
professions at Rome and several groups
Of the Nativity as arranged in the houses
of the peasants in Mexico and other coun-
tries. Many Of them are curiously made,
the faces showing a certain ideality, while
on the clothes has been expended much
gorgeousness.
That beauty is certainly in the eye OF
the beholder one must admit after wander
ing about among the cases and picking
out here and there nightmare dolls which
have probably in some far off land given
just as much satisfaction to some little
one as the most beautiful doll to be bought.
One Of these is the kelp doll made in Ice
land, where the kelp is thick and strong.
The end Of a long piece of kelp Is blown
out and on this eyes. nose and mouth are
painted with more regard to striking
effect than 10 subtlety. The rest OF the
seaweed Is turned and twisted grotesquely
to form the body.
An interesting specimen Of the weird
and WOODY class comes from the west
coast Of Africa from a cannibal tribe. II
is carved in wood and from the square
mouth TO the angular limbs II would be
difficult 10 discover one faintest sugges
ton Of grace and beauty. Yet on this the
young man Of the tribe throughout the
year expends his most strenuous efforts
and after the gruesome festival OF the
Ratchet dance he presents It 10 his favorits
sister. The dolls are highly priced and
pass on from one generation to another
among the children Of successive antilles
OF sisters who have been s. honored.
A Hungarian chimney sweep dressed II
a SCOT colored costume. designed appar
entity merely for working use, has hi
ladder OF rope, a plummet, a hook 10 catcl
in nicnes OF the wall and a face that show
fidelity 20 his calling.
Two pith dolls about the length Of
mans thumb. eleverly carved and painted
are the gift OF the British traveller Waite
Del Mar. who brought them from Indli
and presented them to Mrs. Starr an,
another interesting East Indian specimeI
is so old that none can guess its age. an,
age means something there when apple,
20 dolls, for the first hat history take
eognizanee Of were Of East Indian make
~symbolizlng ancient deities In q religion
that preceded Brahminism.
There are national costumes Of ever!
country OF the world, many Of them show
ing peculiarities OF trade and ~sartoria
combinations that have existed for genera
tions. but which may In a not too remot,
future become as extinct as the dOdo
Witness the case Of Japan. where IN tn
cities already the European garments ar
superseding the native dress. 1t is this
the owner OF the don collection contends
that viii make each year che collection
grow more and more valuable
There is a Shanghai bride. made by
Chinese artist OF that city. She Sc dresseI
In red. the Chinese soy color. and Is sitting