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FREE: Old Doll Found with No Arms in Wood Box Like a Coffin? Very Unsettling and Bizarre

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Description

The listing, Old Doll Found with No Arms in Wood Box Like a Coffin? Very Unsettling and Bizarre has ended.

Ok. I thought that my aunt had gone through everything when we found the creepy clown. I was wrong. She called and told me that she found one more odd thing in her attic: a little doll with no arms inside a wood box. I didn't know what to think, but I went to take a look. My aunt swears she doesn't have any idea where the little doll came from, that she never had such a doll. And then the thought struck me: the doll came with the house. It must have belonged to a little girl who lived in the house before my aunt. Maybe the doll was simply stored in a box. Or maybe the doll "died" and was placed in a coffin. I just don't know.

So, now I have in my possession the little armless doll and her white box. As much as I'd like to keep her, I think it's better that I pass her on to someone outside of my family. I will tell you what I can about her, and you can decide what to do.

The little doll is 7.5" long. She is made of wood. She has no arms, and part of one foot is missing. The box she was found in is 8.5x4x3 inches. It has what look like to be water stains and there are some dents and chipping of the paint. On the long sides of the box, there are gouges through the paint. I have no idea what could have caused those. The bottom is covered with brown flannel. The doll was found in the box with nothing else. I added the fabric so she wouldn't look so sad and alone.

That's about it. Sadly, I can't determine how the doll came to be in my aunt's attic or what, if any, meaning can be given to her coffin-like box. So I leave it up to you to decide the fate of this little doll with no arms.

Please ask me questions or post comments. I usually reply quickly, and I love to talk about my items. Shipping is free to Listia verified addresses only. Thanks for viewing my item and good luck!

Questions & Comments

I too recently passed on a Victorian era porcelain boy doll (headless) wire bound and laid to rest in a tiny brass coffin like box. Had it for a while but always had a creepy vibe, a fellow Listian has now assumed custody of his mysterious remains.

Sep 28th, 2015 at 9:50:59 PM PDT by

I saw your listing and I was tempted to bid, but I thought it best to not take on any more dolls coming from unknown circumstances. Yours was a lovely listing, though.

Sep 28th, 2015 at 10:42:39 PM PDT by

This doll is very interesting. I'm wondering if termites may have gotten to this doll so she was put in a box to keep her protected longer? I don't know where your Aunt lives but I know back in the day people didn't have much money and if they had a large family like I have dolls, clothes etc. would get passed down. I'm the youngest of 8 so by the time I got things they were not in the best shape but we were just thankful to have it. A box may have been added at that time to make it somewhat different from the others who had it before you and this made that person feel lucky. A wooden box wouldn't have cost much and it wouldn't be that hard to make. Just my thoughts being the youngest of 8. Thanks for sharing.

Oct 5th, 2015 at 1:41:46 AM PDT by

Thank you for sharing your thoughts about this doll. I can totally see the possibility that you laid out. Perhaps she had successive sisters play with her, and when all were through playing with dolls she was placed in the wooden box and tucked away in the attic. And over the years she lost her arms and part of one foot. I guess we got a little spooked by the very creepy clown doll that was found by my aunt first (see previous listings). So, I just don't know what to think, but I really appreciate your sharing your thoughts. :)

Oct 5th, 2015 at 6:32:48 PM PDT by

I think maybe it was a little girls doll and when it lost it's arms she considered it dead and wanted to bury it. Not creepy, kind of sweet.

Oct 6th, 2015 at 3:09:37 PM PDT by

My Grandparents lived in the same house, with the same phone number, close to 60 years. My Mother was second oldest of 11 Biological Children. I was one of Thirty-something Grand/Great Kids. I have Childhood memories of climbing up in the attic to get stuff for Grandma. (Usually X-Mas decorations) The attic was huge, but dark with spider webs that lead up into the very high rafters. There were no walls, nor flooring. I recall small stacks of boxes etc, which had been separated and spread apart, as if different people had stored stuff, and forgotten about it. My Grandmother lived longer than both of my Parents, as well as a few of her other kids.

Oct 7th, 2015 at 8:59:52 AM PDT by

So many interesting stories about dolls and toys being lost in the attic. Thank you for sharing yours! I think it's entirely possible in this instance. My aunt has lived in the house for 27 years. It was built in the 1930s, so there was plenty of time for other families to have lived there prior to my aunt, and perhaps forgotten a small doll in the attic. I certainly hope that she was much loved and was kept in the wood box because it was a safe place to be stored. But if it's a darker tale that ended in her being put in a coffin, then I hope she finds peace.

Oct 7th, 2015 at 10:54:17 AM PDT by

this comment has been hidden

Sep 28th, 2015 at 10:38:30 PM PDT by

Creepy as all get out! Love it! F&W!

Sep 29th, 2015 at 10:17:49 AM PDT by

So creepy! Thanks & fanned back :)

Sep 29th, 2015 at 10:25:32 AM PDT by

Strange & creepy! Also intriguing!

Sep 29th, 2015 at 10:37:12 AM PDT by

Definitely intriguing! I have spent quite a bit of time wondering what the doll has been through and how she came to reside in an attic.

Sep 29th, 2015 at 10:41:24 AM PDT by

Very interesting doll stuff going on here. Maybe this is how children were taught to accept death & mourn. I'd be inclined to see who owned the house before your aunt. In the old days deceased people were displayed in their coffins & photographed like a family portrait..Super creepy. Fanned/ watching & bidding on your pendant :)

Oct 1st, 2015 at 10:47:19 PM PDT by

I think people dealt with death differently back then. Infant and child mortality were high and death was such a part of every day life. I have a photo of a young boy in his coffin that's surrounded by memorial flowe
rs from around 1910. I wonder who he was. He helps keep me grounded in what's important in life. I'm not sure what's going on with the dolls. Maybe you're right about children learning about mortality. Finding the doll like this is a little bit creepy, but I don't feel like anything sinister happened to her. I'm trying to learn more about the previous owners of my aunt's house, but it's been challenging. Anyway, thanks so much for your comment; it really got me thinking! And fanned you too!

Oct 1st, 2015 at 11:54:50 PM PDT by

This is a very intriguing auction. I usually do not get too caught up on the comments, but felt the need to keep reading. I double checked ending dates etc. wondering if this was a Halloween prank? IMO each of the comments/ different ideas have made it much more interesting! Susan54961's input had me really thinking!! OMG the more I read--- This could have been any one of these ideas, or a combination of things. How long has your Aunt lived in the house?

Oct 7th, 2015 at 8:59:16 AM PDT by

About 5 years ago? I rec'd an email (spam folder) from a woman claiming she had tried to reach me 4 over the years without success. She had a picnic basket filled with photos, which were identified as belonging to My Mother. I thought this was a sick joke. Amazing as it seems... all turned out to be "true story".... She had recently sold my Vintage Rare Peggy Pen Pal Dolls on eBay. (flashbacks) I remembered when we stayed with my Grandparents for a few months in Mid 70s. I remember hiding my Peggy Pen Pal Dolls to the far corner of that attic, so they would be safe. They were a nearly new Christmas Gift from Grandma. I apologize for this huge story on your auction, but this really hit home. I was able to recover the photos but My Peggy Pen Pal Dolls are gone forever. See Link if interested. http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/18-1970-horsman-peggy-pen-pal-dolls-128708442 (tears of joy!) Thank you for listing this mystery doll, simply to keep her story alive. I pray she finds someone who remembers her!! God bless... <3 Jondalin

Oct 7th, 2015 at 9:00:31 AM PDT by

Are there holes where her arms used to be attached? She really doesn't look like she is made of wood to me? (i have terrible vision) She almost looks confused? :) Perhaps poured into a mold? Are those seams on the outside and inner thighs? I am not sure if you have the time, but more close up photos of the doll by itself would be great. thanks for sharing and good luck

Oct 7th, 2015 at 12:46:59 PM PDT by

Hi, I have added 3 additional photos of the doll. Yes, she does have armholes. I don't know why I didn't show that in pictures sooner! She does have seams, but the part of her foot that shows looks like wood. I'm wondering now if its some kind of wood pulp. There are also some odd markings on the backs of her legs. She's definitely an older doll, I just don't know how old. I hope this helps :)

Oct 7th, 2015 at 1:22:19 PM PDT by

Does the box come with her?

Oct 7th, 2015 at 5:08:04 PM PDT by

Yes, the box stays with her.

Oct 7th, 2015 at 5:11:52 PM PDT by

I love old dolls I hope I can win her.

Oct 8th, 2015 at 9:43:14 AM PDT by

Thanks so much for your comment! There's something special about old dolls, isn't there?

Oct 8th, 2015 at 9:48:49 AM PDT by

Yes there is.

Oct 8th, 2015 at 12:15:52 PM PDT by

This is absolutely unique to me and creepy in a way that I love it I am watching and waiting this is a beautiful thing and I hope to win her

Oct 8th, 2015 at 2:32:28 PM PDT by

Thanks so much. I think you would give her a good home.

Oct 8th, 2015 at 7:13:39 PM PDT by

Old Doll Found with No Arms in Wood Box Like a Coffin? Very Unsettling and Bizarre is in the Antiques category