Wooden Dolly

Sculpted in oak in 1958, this life size sculpture of a fisherwoman carrying a basket and wearing traditional shawl and full skirts represents the 'wooden dolly', a much older North Shields tradition.
There have been 'dollies' in the town for over 200 years. The first one, near the quayside, became a good luck charm as mariners would cut off pieces to keep whilst at sea.
This one replaces an earlier version (from 1902) to stand as a tribute to the part that women have played in the economic life of North Tyneside.

Wooden Dolly, Northumberland Square, North Shields.