Create a Dominican Faceless Doll

A pottery worker in the Dominican Republic named Liliana Mera Limé handcrafted the first “faceless doll” in 1981 leaving a smooth, unfinished surface where the face should be. It is the lack of faces that make the dolls a symbol of the Dominican Republic, as they are said to represent the Dominicans’ rich mix of people from all over the world. Nowadays, they are sold all over the Dominican Republic and come in a variety of heights, shapes, skin tones, and dress styles. All the dolls are handmade and hand-painted, so no two dolls are alike. As part of a collaboration between Salem Maritime National Historic Site and the North Shore Community Development Coalition, creating your own Dominican Faceless Doll out of paper is an activity that can be enjoyed by all ages and backgrounds. Learn more about faceless dolls and follow along with the steps in the article to create your own!