ELLA DOLL "Mammie" Signed and Numbered 221 by Vonnie Staton Circa 1986

A signed and numbered VONNIE STATON ELLA DOLL called "Mammie." The body of the 16” tall doll is stuffed muslin and her head, hands and boots appear to be hand sculptured and hand painted resin. 

Ella is dressed in a green ankle length dress and green and beige checkered bib apron; inside the beige squares are tiny hearts.  Under her dress, she wears a half-slip with a ruffled edge.  She wears a straw hat and carries a wooden bucket filled with apples. The doll is in good condition other than some fading to her dress.

The artist has signed the doll on her lower leg.

About Black Americana:  Black Americana treasures reflect African American history and its struggle against racial injustice. Opinion is divided on whether to preserve these artifacts, as some believe it prolongs racist attitudes while others see it as a way to educate future generations on the importance of tolerance and social justice.

Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg, Spike Lee, and Anita Pointer (lead singer of the singing group, the Pointer Sisters), all collect Black Memorabilia, Lee used some of his objects in his movie Bamboozled. One of the largest collectors of Black Americana is Dr. David Pilgrim, who donated his large collection to Ferris University to found the Jim Crow Museum.

Dr. Pilgrim used a poignant quote to sum up the purpose of these artifacts: “Use items of intolerance to teach tolerance and promote social justice.”

For more information and to better understand Black Americana, visit the Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University.