Payback Doll

Item number 3270/1 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Carved female figure. Doll (part a) stands on large feet, legs spread, arms slightly akimbo, large breasts carved at chest. Head is covered in a woven fabric to represent a hat or hair, above protruding ears, shell eyes, and a large open mouth with inset shell teeth. A thick necklace of small white and brown shells is wound several times around the neck. A skirt of grass or bark is attached around the figure’s waist. Painted white. Part b is a ring of short grass, light yellow-brown, woven into a bracelet.

History Of Use

Created as an effigy of a deceased family member, payback dolls were used as a reminder that payback, or revenge for their death, was still outstanding. A female with white paint is said to represent a widow, whereas a bride would be painted black.