or: Limberjack, Jig doll
Dancing dolls or Limberjack, Jig dolls have been used for at least the past one hundred and fifty years in Great Britain, and are also known in Ireland and North America 1860s.
A typical jig doll is between 20cm and 30cm in height, although there are examples of both smaller and larger ones, and has jointed arms, hips, knees, and also in some cases, ankles, allowing a movement that mimics step-dancing.
They were not designed to be children’s toys, and in the past were owned by adults, and used for their own entertainment in pubs, etc, and sometimes for grandchildren, nieces, and nephews to watch. During a musical evening, they would be brought out if there was some live music, in much the same way that a live stepdancer would contribute to the proceedings. They were also popular with street musicians and buskers, as their great visual appeal invariably attracts a fascinated audience.
They are usually three-dimensional and carved or painted as a particular character – sailors being the most popular, and several soldiers and clowns have also been found.
They were not designed to be children’s toys, and in the past were owned by adults, and used for their own entertainment in pubs, etc, and sometimes for grandchildren, nieces, and nephews to watch. During a musical evening, they would be brought out if there was some live music, in much the same way that a live stepdancer would contribute to the proceedings. They were also popular with street musicians and buskers, as their great visual appeal invariably attracts a fascinated audience.
Source: https://babiki.ru/blog/interesnoe-antikvarki/228506.html, https://www.eatmt.org.uk/jig-dolls/
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