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The fascination for dolls is compelling. And strangely, even more compelling is their dark and mysterious side where they are both so lifelike yet so lifeless, with an unsettling and creepy look
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Fiction writers and filmmakers of the horror genre have portrayed dolls as a personification of terror and evil
Among the very first toys children receive as gifts are dolls. In a child’s world, dolls become ‘proxy’ persons. Their near-perfect resemblance to people from the adult world – parents, caregivers, relatives and other such folks – and their scaled down, Lilliputian proportions, are just the thing kids love. Here is something they can hold on to and feel a sense of comfort, security and closeness, especially when they’re all by themselves.
As children grew and became more attuned to their social environment, dolls have formed a vital part of their make-believe world.
But beyond the innocence of role-playing lies a much darker picture, and not without reason. The fact that dolls are so perfectly lifelike in their resemblance to humans, especially porcelain dolls, and yet so completely lifeless, makes them look eerie and uncanny, with an air many describe as ‘almost unsettling and creepy’.
And this factor has been explored in full by fiction writers and filmmakers of the horror genre. where dolls are portrayed as a personification of terror and evil. The widespread use of creepy dolls in horror films and stories has further solidified their image as unsettling objects.
Some horror movies centered on evil dolls include the Chucky franchise (Child’s Play), the Annabelle franchise (The Conjuring universe), Dead Silence, Dolls, Magic, and Trilogy of Terror (specifically the “Amelia” segment). The Annabelle doll is currently housed at the Warrens’ Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, where it is secured in a protective glass case.
These films feature various types of doll that come to life to terrorise their human owners. The 1988 film Child’s Play features Chucky, a doll possessed by the soul of a serial killer of the same name, setting the stage for a series of sequels.. Show all
Dolls originated in ancient civilizations like Egypt, Greece, and Rome, where they served both as children’s toys and as ritual objects.
In some cultures, dolls are believed to serve as bodies of evil wandering souls, spirits or the supernatural, making them a bridge to the unknown. They have also served as funerary objects in ancient Greece and Rome, as important burial items in the tombs of children.
In another interesting custom in ancient Greece, young girls before their marriage, made ritual offerings of dolls to Artemis, the Goddess of fertility and childbirth.
The history of dolls reflects social transition, from ancient ritualistic objects to handmade toys, sophisticated fashion dolls in the 16th century, and eventually mass-produced plastic toys in the 20th century.
Germany became a leading doll manufacturer from the 15th century onwards producing wooden, glazed porcelain. Even today Dresden porcelain dolls are considered as collectors’ item that can cost a tidy sum.
In modern times, the most iconic of all dolls is Barbie. Mattel’s introduction of the Barbie doll in 1959 transformed the market and influenced cultural perceptions of fashion and lifestyle.
Fashion dolls to showcase new clothing styles emerged in the 16th century, with Paris becoming a major producer.
But the fascination for dolls never seems to end.
The Shankar’s Doll Museum in New Delhi, India is a famous institution portraying the cultural diversity of the country. It attracts visitors from around the world.
