corn dolly; wheat straw, plaited; crescent-shaped with ends turned downward and ending in tufts of wheat heads tied with pink ribbon bows. Bell shape pendant from center of crescent with clapper ending in tuft of wheat heads; 1.50 centimeters, total height of 20 centimeters; height of bell is 14 centimeters.
Donor:
Charlotte A. Johnson, Mrs. M. Lambeth, and University Appropriation
Collection place:
Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire, England
Verbatim coll. place:
England, Cambridgeshire, Fulbourn
Production place:
Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire, England
Culture or time period:
English
Maker or artist:
Mrs. M. Lambeth
Collector:
Charlotte A. Johnson
Collection date:
July 1970
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Dolls (figurines) and Plaited weaving
Function:
5.2 Magic: Objects Associated with Practices reflecting confidence in the ability to manipulate supernatural agencies
Accession date:
1971
Department:
Europe and western Russia (except Classical Mediterranean)
Comment:
Traditional craft figure, originally representing a ritual propitiation of the gods for fine weather, prosperity, fertility, and the supply of seed for next year's harvest. This design from the County of Essex is made in the shape of the terrets which were worn as ornaments on the crown piece of the horse's harness.