Rare Metti Doll Co Aboriginal Papua New Guinea Native DollC 1969

"Doll dressed to represent a woman from Central Province, Papua New Guinea. The doll was manufactured by Metti a South Australian doll manufacturer, circa 1970. Metti was established in South Australia in 1965. In 1968 the company began to manufacture an Aboriginal doll named 'Bindi', they later made a smaller version called 'Piccaninny' as well. Metti appointed Burns Philp (South Seas) Ltd as its agent in the Pacific Islands. The Bindi and Piccaninny dolls were sold through Burns Philp stores across the Pacific, but modified with darker, curlier hair and darker plastic to approximate Melanesians peoples. These dolls were bought by many organisations in PNG and used as fund-raisers for various organisations including church groups, scouts and women's groups. As part of these fundraisers villagers, particularly those living in the Highlands, were asked to dress the dolls as authentically as possible in local clothing styles. The dolls were then on-sold as souvenirs, many of them to accompanying PNG scouts on jamborees in Australia and elsewhere, where they were sold to help defray travel costs." This Metti Doll is 14" and does have accumulated dust and some fading of textiles. I still consider this doll in good condition.

Please click on the auction link to see more phots of the doll. The doll can be purchased on either site.