Skip to main content
Madam Modjeska Doll, early 20th Century
Nascia Skovronska (Polish-born American); Orange Count…
Doll of Madame Helena Modjeska
Madam Modjeska Doll, early 20th Century
Nascia Skovronska (Polish-born American); Orange Count…
Madam Modjeska Doll, early 20th Century Nascia Skovronska (Polish-born American); Orange County, California Cloth, velvet, fur and lace; 22 1/2 in. 40618.1 Gift of Ellen K. Lee

Doll of Madame Helena Modjeska

ClassificationsFurnishings-Recreation-dolls
Subject Madame Helena Modjeska Chlapowska (1840 - 1909)
Dateearly 20th Century
Made AtCalifornia, United States, North America
MediumCloth, velvet, fur and lace
Dimensions22 1/2 in. (57.2 cm)
Credit LineGift of Ellen K. Lee
Object number40618.1
DescriptionThis is an early 20th century doll made in the image of Polish-born stage performer, Madame Helena Modjeska. Nascia Skovronska, Madame Modjeska’s friend, stage dresser, and personal maid, made this nearly two-foot-tall doll of Modjeska in her role of Mary Stuart.

The doll was made several years after Modjeska passed away in 1906, and was given to the wife of Modjeska’s dentist, Mary Hester McCoy. Mary McCoy also knew Modjeska and had, like Nascia, been friends with her when she was alive. Modjeska's Mary Stuart costumes were in two styles - a white one worn early in the play, and the black one with red applique trim and the white veil, seen here. The red undergarment was the only garment worn by the original Queen of Scots when she lost her head. Asked by a newspaper man in Los Angeles why the red, Modjeska said, "So the blood won't show when I get my head cut off."
On View
Not on view
"Forest of Arden”, Home Built in Modjeska Canyon by Madame Modjeska
, c. 1902
Photographer unk…
Madame Helena Modjeska Chlapowska
c. 1902
Madame Modjeska as Marie Antoinette, 1909
Unknown Photographer
Photographic print; 26 3/8 x 2…
Madame Helena Modjeska Chlapowska
c. 1891
Armlet Worn by Modjeska in "Cleopatra", c.1880
Unknown maker; Paris, France
Gold and imitatio…
Madame Helena Modjeska Chlapowska
c. 1880
Madame Modjeska as "Mary Stewart", c. 1882
Unknown photographer; United States
Albumen Print …
Madame Helena Modjeska Chlapowska
c. 1882
Sandals Worn by Modjeska in "Cleopatra", c. 1880
Unknown maker; Paris, France
Leather, wood, …
Madame Helena Modjeska Chlapowska
c. 1880
Letter to Madame Modjeska, late 19th Century
Dorothy F. Wiethoff; Detroit, Michigan
Ink on pa…
Madame Helena Modjeska Chlapowska
late 19th Century
Modjeska as "Portia," 1889

Benjamin J. Falk (American, 1853-1925); New York, NY
Gelatin silv…
Madame Helena Modjeska Chlapowska
1889
Laurel Wreath, late 19th Century
Poland
Silver leaf and metal; 12 1/2 × 8 1/2 × 2 3/4 in.
17…
late 19th Century
Sielanka (An Idyll), 1885
Jozef Chelmonski (Polish, 1849-1914)
Oil on canvas; 28 × 46 in.
76…
Jozef Chelmonski
1885
Portrait of Madame Modjeska, late 1920s to early 1930s
Unknown Photographer
Photographic prin…
Madame Helena Modjeska Chlapowska
late 1920s to early 1930s
Bracelets Worn by Modjeska in "Cleopatra", c. 1880
Unknown maker; Paris, France
Gold and imit…
Madame Helena Modjeska Chlapowska
c. 1880