Display your colored pencils or paint brushes in our exclusive Betye Saar's Black Dolls Pencil Cup. Featuring delightful images of 9 Black dolls from Saar's collection, the ceramic pencil cup was created on the occasion of the Betye Saar’s Black Dolls exhibition at The New York Historical. This exhibition unpacks the historical, contemporary, and personal significance of Black dolls to childhood, ritual, dreams, and make-believe.
Betye Saar's Black Dolls (on view May 8, 2026 - October 4, 2026) honors the renowned artist’s 100th birthday and celebrates a landmark promised gift to The New York Historical of her collection of more than 100 Black dolls. Ranging from rag dolls handmade by Black women for both Black and white children in their care to mass-produced toys and tourist souvenirs, some of which were borne of racism and perpetuate stereotypes, the collection includes Hoo Doo Woman (1974), the only Black doll designed and created by Saar herself.
