Iranian Doll
This Qasemabadi (قاسمآبادی) doll is dressed in traditional Gilaki attire for a special occasion. She has the fruits of her labour in her basket with her and is ready to dance! Her presence is a testimony to the love and labour of women in the Caspian Sea region of Northern Iran, specifically the province of Gilan. From her clothes to the rice in her basket, each aspect of her life has been touched by the lives of the local women.
Gilaki culture has been embraced by Iranians as a resistance to the current treatment of women in the country. Previously and still currently subject to otherness, the women in the Caspian region were joked about for their wantonness as a result of a further integration into society (Bromberger). Now, this doll is a representation of a traditional Iranian woman that is celebrated for her beauty, work and craftsmanship— a hope for many Iranian women.