Chinese Door of Hope Doll ~ Bride Costume

The Door of Hope Mission was founded in 1901 in Shanghai, China by an American missionary with the goal of keeping young girls off the streets as well as teaching them sewing and dressmaking skills. The well known author Pearl Buck helped to teach the Chinese girls needlework. Dolls began to be made around 1914 with the heads and hands being carved by professional wood carvers and being finished by girls living at the mission. They are meticulously made and represent people of various ages and social status. By 1940 there were 25 different dolls being made. It could take up to one month for a doll to be produced earning the girls between 3 and 5 cents an hour. The mission closed in 1949 when communists took over China. It is estimated that less than 50,000 dolls were made in the 48 that the mission existed and they are highly sought after by collectors today.

This example depicts a bride who is dressed in red silk with miniature embroidery. Her costume is quite detailed and authentic, down to her bound feet and headdress. Her head and hands are beautifully carved of pear wood and quite delicate with carved detail around her bun at the nape of her neck. Her overall condition is very good to excellent. She is a highly collectible and sought after doll. Height ~ 11.5".

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