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Rag Doll

The rag doll is a cloth figure traditionally made with spare scraps of material. These scraps are used for both the containing form as well as their internal stuffing. Today, they are commercially made to replicate that homemade style.

These are among the most ancient play things for children known. The British Museum has one dated back to 300 B.C. It came from ancient Rome and was found within a child's grave. There is no reason for such dolls to not have been as widespread then as they are now. However, the perishable nature of the materials used to create them has resulted in few of them surviving over time.

The rag doll has served a few notable roles in mainstream culture. This is particularly true when it comes to children's stories. Perhaps the most influential one was Raggedy Ann, who was the character of a 1918 book. The British television series Bagpuss and Ragdolly Anna also starred such characters.

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