Hickory nut doll made by formerly enslaved man, Obadiah Beverly

Obadiah Beverly, American · ca. 1876

This doll was handmade by Obadiah Beverly, known as Obe, a formerly enslaved man in Virginia. The doll is composed of a hickory nut, wooden stick, fabric and lace. The nut, used for the head, is wrapped in a section of faded cotton cloth, with part of the nut surface exposed as the face. The fabric is gathered together under the nut by a piece of lace, wound several times around the object. The body of the doll is a stick wrapped in cotton cloth. The doll's skirt is made of a gathered section of cream colored cotton cloth with a faded pattern.