Reflections of the South

African American Dolls

Original African American Dolls recreating Louisiana Life in the 1800's. Learn about New Orleans Culture through this African American Heritage Doll collection inspired by sketches, photographs and stories of the 1800's. These lifelike African American handmade dolls have attached booklets and display cards with short historical essays about the character doll. All dolls are reproduced in clay using JoAnn Bernard's plaster molds developed from her original doll designs. Doll wigs, clothing, dress designs, and props are all handmade by the artist.

An original clay doll collection, for the doll collecting enthusiast

African American Heritage Doll Collection by JoAnn Bernard

Take a trip back in time to Old New Orleans through JoAnn 's lifelike African American character doll collection. Imagine the Vieux Carre' of long ago and hear the cadences of the street vendors, "Sweet Delicious Pralines for Sale", "Vegetables, Fresh Vegetables", and "Bels calas, bels calas, tout chauds". Feel the intrigue aroused by the beautiful women of color, learn about the fate of the New Orleans Quadroons, The Tignon Law of 1786 in which the Governor of New Orleans attempted to label these beautiful African American Women, and experience the mystery that surrounded Marie Laveau, the New Orleans Voodoo Queen of 1815.

Read this Harper's Monthly Magazine article, "NEW ORLEANS"

BY CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER, get a glimpse of New Orleans and it's people in the year 1887.

Navigational tips: Click on pictures to view close-ups. From the enlarged photo page click on booklet to read a story written for the character doll. At the bottom of the LARGE PHOTO PAGES and STORY PAGES the previous and next buttons will surf you through either the large doll photo pages or the story pages, depending on the site you are surfing from. Enjoy!

Marie Laveau Doll
Hold Gris Gris Bag

Marie Laveau Doll
Dancing with Snake

Marie Laveau Doll
Crystal Ball

New Orleans Voodoo Queen of 1815

Woman of mercy or a woman of evil. Rich and prominent people of New Orleans called on Marie for her services, purchasing gris gris, perhaps to acquire a lover or maybe to destroy one.

Praline Seller Doll

New Orleans Street Vendors of the 1800's
A New Orleans Street Vendor as she sat on her cotton bale selling her delicious Pralines.
Click her to view George Francois Mugnier's 1895 inspirational photograph

New Orleans Quadroon Doll

Gabrielle
Read her story and learn about the
"The Quadroon Balls"
of
New Orleans in the 1800's

Mammy & Baby Doll

Her loving care compared only with the natural bond of motherhood.
Click her to view inspirational 1825 sketch by E.W. Kembler

Vegetable Lady Doll

New Orleans Street Vendors of the 1800's
In remembrance of the slaves who were force to sell produce on the streets of New Orleans, because they were no longer able to work in the fields.

Creoles of Color Doll

Marie-Constance

Gens De Couleur Libers, Free people of Color, and the Tignon Law

June 2, 1786, Governor Don Estevan Miro' of New Orleans introduced a proclamation warning the free women of color regarding head dress, and attire. Read her story to learn more about the Tignon Law.

Creole Gumbo Doll

Zabelle's Triumph
Click here to view the nspired Winterhalder's sketch from
Coleman's Guide to New Orleans dated 1885

Doll Picking Cotton

Deep South Collection
A collection of Louisiana African American character dolls as they were depicted in days gone by.

Mardi Gras Dolls

Mardi Gras Masquerade Collection

African American dolls with Mardi Gras mask painted face. Costumes are made of elaborate silks and feathers.

Cala Lady Doll

New Orleans Street Vendors of the 1800's
A New Orleans street vendor who
sold rice cakes called "Calas" in the New Orleans French Quarter
Click here to view Inspirational E.W. Kemble's sketch dated 1886

JoAnn's Comments: This collection is very dear to my heart. I love Louisiana and New Orleans history. Hopefully I have found a way to share my love of the city, state, and the people who contributed to its unique character and charm.

Inspirational Sketches

Menu Options

Home Page

Louisiana Heritage Dolls

Figurines, Sculptured Slates and Inspirational sketches

Oil Paintings

Duck Carving

Doll Making Techniques/Bio

For more information email: jo_ann_bernard@southernelegance.net

Click here for Doll Directory Links to help find the Doll you are looking for.

Click here for Related Historical Links