Aunt Sally based on a blackface doll itself inspired by a low-life character named "Black Sal", which appeared in an 1821 series of novellas entitled "Life of London" by Pierce Egan, a contemporary of Charles Dickens. The game dates back to the 17th century, although the name "Aunt Sally" may have been a later addition. It was traditionally played in central English pubs and fairgrounds. An Aunt Sally was originally the modelled head of an old woman with a clay pipe in her mouth; the object was for players to throw sticks at the head in order to break the pipe. The
Portrait of an Old Woman with Folded Hands and today it is considered a portrait from circa 1640, but the painter is as yet unknown. The woman is probably from Amsterdam, but could possibly have been from another Dutch city. It is inscribed with her age of 87, which indicates a long and therefore privileged life. Her wealth is further emphasized by her fur-lined vlieger. This painting came into the collection via the Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer bequest. This painting was documented by Hofstede de Groot in 1914, who wrote; 870. A WOMAN WITH FOLDED HANDS. Wb. 307; B.-HdG. 278. Half-length ; life size. She sits in an