Native American Orphans TM

Cherokee Artist Margaret Flanagan Presents...

Native American Orphans TM

The Ultimate Soft Sculpture

Native American Orphans TM (NAO) are rare collectibles created by the Cherokee artist, Margaret Flanagan. Since each doll is an original and takes hundreds of hours of labor and love to create, there can only be about 12 dolls handcrafted per year. Each doll's clothing and moccasins are sewn from deer hide, complete with beadwork and feathers. These babies are very sturdily constructed; they are weighted for the feel of a living body, and even have "bones" in the fingers.  Although, most dolls are created in approximately the size of a 10 month old child, dolls can also be ordered in sizes from newborn to 3 years of age. Whatever the age or size you choose, Native American Orphans are so real and life like they are often mistaken for live children! The  authentic patterns used in the clothing and footwear are researched to mirror tribal customs, or if preferred, to match today's modern pow-wow styles. Beadwork can be ordered on the dress, shirt, moccasins, and head, leg, and arm bands. Buntings are made from all types of fur, most often fox, rabbit, beaver, coyote, mink or raccoon.

Native American Orphan dolls are often mistaken for live children!

"O Ga Na : All Danced Out"

photo by Roger Raley

"I listened as some of the Cherokee elder women talked about being at the stomp dances when they were very young. The dances would last all night, most of the time. The children would play out and find a place to lay down and sleep. But as they got older they learned that valuable pieces of history were often found in the very early morning. “Just at dawn, some of the grandmothers would get up and show us dances that are no longer done that they learned from THEIR grandmothers!” one elder said."  Among the Cherokees, the stomp dances are still held.  The "Danced Out Dancer" series of dolls, is my tribute to all the little dancers of EVERY tribe. As long as there are children, there will be those who become inspired to learn the traditions handed down from generation to generation. I make all of my babies in the natural position of a baby sleeping peacefully. Just like real babies, they look so adorable as they sleep. 
Margaret Flanagan  

 

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