VINTAGE INNU BABY TEA DOLL FROM HAPPY VALLEY, GOOSE BAY, NEWFOUNDLAND

Description: VINATAGE ESKIMO BABY INNU TEA DOLL FROM HAPPY VALLEY, GOOSE BAY, NEWFOUNDLAND 1960'sMEASURES APPROX 4 3/4" IN. HIGH.X 1 3/4" IN. WIDE. GOOD VINTAGE EXAMPLE. CARIBOU SKIN FACE.The doll holds an important part in the history of the Innu of Labrador, the last known hunter/nomadic people of North America. Black tea was a valuable commodity; and the members of the community were expected to help carry this precious cargo when they travelled to new hunting grounds. Hunters consumed the tea to keep their energy strong, and in addition, the respected elders were guaranteed a supply of tea. The handcrafted doll, made with a fabric body, caribou skin face, and dressed in traditional clothes of the Innu was stuffed with loose tea and provided an extra cache of tea in case the original supply dwindled. If the tea supply was low, it might be necessary to cut open a doll and share the tea. Later, the doll would be refilled and returned to the child. Although no longer made for their original purpose, the tradition of making tea dolls continues as the elder Innu women of Labrador, pass on the technique to the younger women; teaching them about this important part of their history.THE INNU OF LABRADOR FORMALLY KNOWN AS, MONTAGNAIS AND NASKAPI, ARE THE LAST KNOWN HUNTER/ NOMADIC PEOPLES OF NORTH AMERICA FOR APPROX 500 YEARS THE INNU HAD ENGAGED IN A TRADING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EUROPEANS. BLACK TEA WAS A VALUED COMMODITY AMONG THE INNU. WHEN THE INNU TRAVELED TO THEIR HUNTING GROUNDS, EVERYONE WAS EXPECTED TO CARRY THEIR SHARE OF THE LOAD. THE CHILDREN CARRIED THEIR SHARE BY BRINGING ALONG A DOLL THAT HELD A RESERVE OF TEA. THE DOLL IS BEAUTIFULLY CONSTRUCTED OF A FABRIC BODY, CARIBOU SKIN FACE, AND FILLED WITH ABOUT 2 LBS OF LOOSE TEA. THE DOLL WEARS THE TRADITIONAL CLOTHING OF THE INNU OF HAND KNIT STOCKINGS,CARIBOU SKIN MOCCASSINS,WITH PLAID OR FLORAL PATTERN APRONS, AND A CONTRASTING COLORED HAT WITH BEADED TRIM. THE TEA DOLL WAS USED AS AN EXTRA CACHE OF TEA IN CASE THE LARGER SUPPLY RAN OUT. HUNTERS CONSUMED THE TEA TO KEEP THEIR ENERGY STRONG ESPECIALLY DURING A TIME OF AMINE. ELDERS, WHO WERE HIGHLY RESPECTED IN INNU CULTURE, WERE ALSO GUARANTEED A SUPPLY OF TEA. SO, AT TIMES, IT WAS NECESSARY TO CUT OPEN THE DOLL AND SHARE THE TEA. LATER THE DOLL WOULD BE REFILLED AND GIVEN BACK TO THE CHILD. AS ONE ELDER RECALLS," I WAS VERY SAD WHEN MY DOLL WAS TAKEN AWAY AND CUT OPEN BUT, LATER LEARNED THAT WE HAD TO SHARE WITH ELDERS AND HUNTERS. THIS IS THE WAY OF MY CULTURE" TODAY THE ART OF THE TEA DOLL MAKING IS STILL ALIVE AMONGST THE INNU WOMEN OF LABRADOR. THE OLDER WOMEN TEACH THE YOUNGER WOMEN ENSURING THAT A PART OF THEIR HISTORY WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. A TEA DOLL MAY TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 2 TO 7 DAYS TO COMPLETE, DEPENDING ON THE BUSY SCHEDULE OF THE WOMEN. EACH DOLL IS UNIQUE AND INDIVIDUAL; IT EMBODIES THE SPIRIT OF THE ARTIST WHO MADE HER.THIS BABY INNU TEA DOLL IS FROM HAPPY VALLEY, GOOSE BAY, NEWFOUNDLAND. 1960's.PLEASE OBSERVE: I DO NOT SHIP TO ANY THIRD PARTY USA ADDRESS OR THIRD PARTY WAREHOUSE RE-SHIPPERS SHIPPERS IN USA FOR OVERSEAS FORWARDING.I ONLY SHIP TO VERIFIED RESIDENTIAL HOME ADDRESSES ONLY. MUST HAVE CONFIRMED SHIPPING ADDRESS. TO APPRECIATE, PLEASE SCROLL OVER ALL PICS FOR CLOSE UP VIEW. SOLD AS IS DESCRIBED. PLEASE ASK ALL QUESTIONS PRIOR AS THERE ARE NO RETURNS AND SALE IS FINAL. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO READ ENTIRE VERY IMPORTANT LISTING DETAILS BEFORE YOU BID OR BUY.ALL OF MY OBJECTS/ PIECES WILL SHOW VARIABLE STAGES OF WEAR OR USE.NONE OF THESE PIECES LOOK LIKE NEW OBJECTS BECAUSE THEY ARE OLD.THESE PIECES ARE STRAIGHT FROM COLLECTION. PLEASE STUDY THE PHOTOS PROVIDED TO DETERMINE IF THIS PIECE IS FOR YOU AND PLEASE READ ENTIRE LISTING COMPLETELY.NO RETURNS, REMORSE, OR REFUNDS. PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS PRIOR. *Shipping is within U.S. only.* International (Outside USA) please inquire shipping, rates vary by weight.NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING AT THIS TIME.*Please look to my future auctions on Ebay for more Vintage, Rare, Hard to find and collectible T SHIRTS, Reyn Spooner plus other Hawaiian manufactures of fine clothing and accessories! Dealing in items you don't normally find. All types of goods and Collectibles. Dolls, animal figurines, children figurines,weaponry, art prints and original art paintings. Specializing in eclectic & esoteric items.Thank you for looking!I WISH TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS PURCHASED MY ITEMS, PLUS THE FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN REPEAT PURCHASERS! THANK YOU, THANK YOU,THANK YOU!!GENERAL AUCTION TERMSAll sales are final, no returns, remorse, refunds. Should there be any fault with item, it will be fully detailed in the description. nothing is overlooked. The items i know very well and are from my personal collection. Please ask questions.The item shown is the item you will receive. I do not use stock photos.I reserve the right to cancel or block bids from previous non-paying bidders or difficult buyers.Please read my description and do not assume anything, when in doubt ASK. I respond quickly.Read all measurements and item conditions in my listing, I describe all item/s honestly.All the items i sell are used/ pre-owned unless otherwise stated as new/ brand new.I do not accept returns for buyer's remorse, misunderstanding the listing, etc. Most importantly, no returns, refunds for not reading the listing, even if you are on your tablet or smartphone.I ship only to the address mentioned at the time of purchase using the checkout system, so please double check this as no changes in address can be made.PAYMENTPAYMENT IS EXPECTED NO LATER THAN 2 DAYS FROM AUCTION CLOSING.“Buy it now” will require to make payment immediatelyIf payment is not made within 2 days of purchase, on 3rd day, an unpaid claim will be automatically filed on eBay against the non-paying buyer and will relist the item.SHIPPING & HANDLINGFirst class or Standard or Priority Mail to U.S. residential home addresses.International bidders please inquire about postage to your country before bidding or purchase. ( no international shipping at this time)I will combine shipping on multiple items purchased. If you purchase more than one item from me please wait for me to send you an invoice there MAY be a POSSIBLE discount. Please note:COMBINED SHIPPING does not mean a automatic discount in the shipping cost, it means i can combine order for all items to ship together. This is very important. I am not able to make any changes after sale. the address shown at time of purchase is the same address i will ship to. I will ship your item ASAP after receipt of payment same day if possible but, typically within 1 business day or sooner (this excludes Sundays and postal holidays).I package all items with proper care whether they are large or small. Once leaving my hands I have no control of handling. I use USPS postal service. In the unlikely event an item should arrive broken/damaged it is the buyer's responsibility to file a claim as the buyer has the item to bring to carrier or proof of damage. Please contact me directly, not ebay I will gladly help in any way I can if there are any questions. I am willing to handle this claim process for you if you find it too difficult, I am here to help and will expedite process for you. PLEASE NOTE: that sellers pay fees on all money received including the shipping, I pay more and that is not even factoring in ebay/paypal fees, shipping supplies,sourcing shipping appropriate boxes or recycled materials plus gas and time involved. If the shipping seems high it is because by today's standards US shipping is and will continue to increase each and every year, but certainly still more affordable than driving cross country or airfare travel to pick up the item/s. So when you are leaving feedback, please remember this! Also, there is no reason to ever leave neutral or negative feedback to be mean and try to ruin a sellers reputation. You must contact me prior. If you do not post feedback ( which is your choice ) I do not post yours. I only post Feedback after i have recieved yours this lets me know that you have received your order.Be kind and do something for somebody today.WHEN YOUR PURCHASE IS RECEIVED, YOUR POSITIVE 5 STAR FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED

Price: 140 USD

Location: Orange, California

End Time: 2024-11-24T22:23:40.000Z

Shipping Cost: 7.95 USD