During the years before the Civil War, many children of slaves wanted to play with White Dolls like "massa's" children. Since this was generally disapproved of and not permitted, an ingenious slave mother created the Topsy Turvy Dolls-two dolls in one (one white and one Black). The doll shared a skirt that was used to turn down over the doll's head to create a different doll. Whenever the "massa" was not around, it was safe for the slave child to play with the white side of the doll. Whenever the "massa" approached, the doll's skirt could be turned down over the head of the white doll to expose the black doll.

Pre-Civil War examples of the Topsy Turvy Dolls are very scarce, since this style of doll became popular with white children they continued being made for many years, both commercially and by hand.

SOLD OUT Blue & Yellow
Orange & Yellow
Purple Stripes
SOLD OUT Yellow & Purple