Head Doll
Building a Collection of Porcelain Dolls
Copyright (c) 2010 Ian Campbell
You might imagine that using a famously fine and delicate material to make a child’s plaything is an act of madness, but for many years dolls make of porcelain were the norm.
These vintage dolls are, for obvious reasons, rare and valuable collectibles, particularly when they survive in good condition. Unglazed porcelain is known as bisque and has a more lifelike appearance than the shiny white of a porcelain-headed doll. However, now that dolls for children can be made of much hardier materials, porcelain dolls are still made as collectibles aimed at adults who love the quality and nostalgia of which they are redolent.
Collecting antique dolls is rewarding and a good collection, well displayed can be a charming addition to your home, particularly if you favor a cottage chic look or have antique furniture on which to display them. Modern porcelain dolls are designed specifically with adult collectors in mind; they are often costumed in replica period clothing to give a convincing appearance of having survived undamaged for an earlier time.
To collect antique dolls you’ll need to keep your eyes open and be aware of a diamond in the rough when scouting yard sales and thrift stores – it’s possible to restore dolls to something like their original condition with a little care, although you should be aware that repairs, no matter how sympathetic can reduce the value of a Victorian example of a porcelain doll. The usual hunting grounds should be scoured; antique stores and auctions being the best place to start. Do look out for job lots of mixed children’s toys which might hide a valuable example or a damaged doll that can be made to look as good as new.
Modern dolls are sold in department stores and also on the internet. Manufacturers encourage collectors to shell out more cash with limited edition ranges which command a premium price, designs tend towards the nostalgic.
Some well known porcelain doll manufacturers are Marie Osmond, Paradise Valleys, Showstopper and Doll Artisan Guild.
Some are sold as “blanks”, offering the collector to decorate the face to their own specification, adding a whole new dimension to your hobby.
For something really special, you can even commission a one-off porcelain doll to your specifications, perhaps to commemorate a new addition to the family.
The Original Doll Artist Council of America has an excellent website listing doll artists and showing examples of their work and prices. If you want to commission your own original doll, or just get an idea of what sort of porcelain dolls are available from modern makers it’s an ideal first stop in starting your porcelain doll collection.
About the Author
The Ashton-Drake Galleries and Integrity Toys are proud to announce
The Brides of Dracula
, the first issue in our new Couture Fantasy line partnership. Couture Fantasy blends high fashion with imaginative story lines. For The Brides of Dracula this means re-imagining Bram Stoker’s beautiful, sultry, and dangerous vampire brides in stunning outfits made of rich, sumptuous fabrics. Visit Dracula’s Brides at
http://www.draculasbrides.com/
Is there a company which will make a custom individual bobble-head doll ?
check out this interesting website www.livinglifebox.com
they handmade funny dollie 
Rag Doll Making : Sewing a Rag Doll Head
|
|
24″ Super-Rare c1840 MOLDED-BONNET CHINA Head Doll Pink-Tint Head, Antique Body $12,600.00 |
|
|
9-1/2″ Kestner All Bisque Bare Feet Swivel Head Circa 1890 Original Wardrobe $4,750.00 |
|
|
16″ French Fashion Smiling Bru Doll F Mark on Head $3,950.00 |
|
|
36″ LARGE F.G Bebe Antique French Doll, Fashion Kid Body, Mannequin Head! $3,500.00 |
|
|
Breathtaking Old Antique German Bisque Head Large Kestner Closed Mouth Bebe Doll $3,495.00 |
|
|
BEAUTIFUL 16″-FRENCH – PINK TINT CHINA HEAD w/ COBALT BLUE GLASS EYES – KID BODY $2,500.00 |
|
|
LARGE ANTIQUE PAPIER MACHE HEAD DOLL WITH SLEEP EYES, 32 INCHES TALL $2,500.00 |
|
|
Live Size 29″ K * R 126 character pristine body and head tremble tongue NICE !! $2,400.00 |
|
|
13″ x 21″ Musical PULL-TOY c1880 Bisque-head CLOWN, DRUM & CYMBALS All-Original $2,360.00 |
|
|
8 ¼” Antique Parian Doll c1880 SWIVEL-HEAD Fashion Fabulous All-Original RARE!! $2,300.00 |
|
|
3 LARGE A & M ARMAND MARSIELLE BISQUE VINTAGE DOLLS DRESSED 390 & 301 HEAD $1,800.00 |
|
|
24″ K * R 127 Character on Slant Hip Toddler Body Solid dome head REALLY CUTE!! $1,750.00 |
|
|
Antique rare SFBJ 226 character doll boy Bisque head 48 cm = 18.9 in tall $1,719.85 |
|
|
16″ Dressel Kister Marked China Head Antique Doll Most Unusual Hair style $1,695.00 |
|
|
9-1/2″ All Bisque Swivel Head Kestner Original Mohair $1,695.00 |
|
|
Volks SD13 boy williams head the hatter FDQ dolls party NYC 4 version $1,599.00 |
|
|
Antique rare SFBJ 251 character doll Bisque head 16-1/2″ (42cm) $1,328.98 |
|
|
BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE ARMAND MARSEILLE BISQUE HEAD, COMPOSITION BODY, 20″ DOLL $1,199.99 |
|
|
~~~MARY~~~reborn luca head-elly knoops with full female torso-sheila michael~LB $1,200.00 |
|
|
c. 1900 Young Girl Mannequin, Wax Head, Rooted Hair, Cast Iron Boots $1,100.00 |
|
|
Antique Edwardian Bisque Head Rabbit Candy Container $1,080.00 |
|
|
HUGE 25″ 16″ HEAD CIR. K* R 121 KAMMER & REINHARDT S/E BISQUE BABY ORIG. WIG $1,000.00 |
|
|
ANTIQUE LARGE 30″ SIMON & HALBIG DOLL BISQUE HEAD 117 N GERMANY COMPLETE $1,000.00 |
|
|
32″ ANTIQUE REPRODUCTION BISQUE HEAD ALL COMPOSITION LOVELESS BRU LUCRECIA DOLL $1,000.00 |
|
|
28″ Ludwig Greiner 1858 Label 9 3/4″ tall head $999.00 |
|
|
Antique German porcelain china head doll “Biedermeier” $999.00 |
|
|
1800′s ANTIQUE OTTOMAN EMPIRE WOODEN DOLL MAN HEAD RARE $899.99 |
|
|
25″ Antique German Bisque closed mouthTurned head doll Beautiful bisque hands $895.00 |
|
|
Antique German mechanical automaton with movements & music – perfect bisque head $895.00 |
|
|
NEW VOLKS Super Dollfie SDGr Masamune Date Head and Eyes $880.00 |
|
|
DIVINE UNIS FRANCE LITTLE RIDING HOOD Doll * BISQUE HEAD * JUST LOVELY! $850.00 |
|
|
Volks Super Dollfie SD17 Alain head eyes HUIS TEN BOSCH event 2011 FREE $0 ship $850.00 |
|
|
GEBRUDER HEUBACH – MECHANICAL WALKING DOLL – SQUEAKS – 9 1/2″ – MARKED HEAD!!! $795.00 |
|
|
307] 7 7/8” Frozen Charlotte China Head Covered Wagon Antique Doll All China $794.87 |
|
|
Antique SIMON HALBIG BISQUE HEAD DOLL 5 PC TODDLER BODY $799.99 |
|
|
326] 15” Bald Head or Biedermeier China Glass Eyes Doll Antique Bisque #4 c1840 $784.19 |
|
|
8″ Rare STRUNG Vintage GINNY #65-1952 ANGELA Red-Head, Tagged EX+ & All-Original $760.00 |
|
|
Large Figure A Steiner French Bebe porcelain HEAD ONLY Repro by Emily Hart $749.99 |
|
|
Simom and Halbig German Bisque Doll 23″ Tall Shoulder and Head Bisque 1890′s $725.00 |
|
|
29″ ~ KESTNER DOLL 171 with BISQUE HEAD…LOVELY! $725.00 |
|
|
French S.F.B.J. 301 marked on head and body 21 inches $695.00 |
|
|
German Kestner bisque head and wood & composition jointed body 17″ $699.99 |
|
|
DollfieDream Niimi Haruka Body Parts Head default eyes Photo Kano $715.66 |
|
|
Antique 1870′s 12″ China Head Doll with Original Hand Sewn Outfit Leather hands. $699.00 |
|
|
16″ GEBRUDER HEUBACH 7246 POUTY CHARACTER DOLL BISQUE HEAD ANTIQUE SLEEP EYE TLC $641.04 |
|
|
Large Old 26″ Antique German Bisque Head My Sweetheart Doll w/Gorgeous Clothes! $675.00 |
|
|
Bru jne 11 Virginia LaVorgna reproduction bisque doll HEAD ONLY by Emily Hart $649.99 |
|
|
NEW VOLKS Super Dollfie SD16G Megu Head + Eyes / Normal Skin UV Protection $650.00 |
|
|
Doll Cissy Madame Alexander RED Head Vintage Original Tagged Clothing $650.00 |
|
|
EARLY KATHE KRUSE DOLL ..SWEET YOUNG GERMAN GIRL..MARKED ON HEAD AND FOOT C.1944 $599.00 |
|
|
17.5″ Closed Mouth Turned Head Bisque Doll $625.00 |
|
|
Antique SFBJ 301 JUMEAU doll Bisque head 59 cm = 23.2 in $594.13 |
|
|
Simon & Halbig German Doll Bisque Head Sleeps SH 1039 8 1/2 DEP $599.99 |
|
|
Kestner antique bisque doll 19″ turned shoulder head $600.00 |
|
|
13.5″ SFBJ 236 LAUGHING JUMEAU BISQUE HEAD DOLL FRENCH ANTIQUE $576.93 |
|
|
GORGEOUS ANTIQUE LADY KESTNER #10 BISQUE SHOUDERPLATE SWIVEL HEAD KID BODY RARE $600.00 |
|
|
Baby Annabell Interactive Doll Turns Head Cries Tears++ $599.99 |
|
|
133] 23″ Large Flesh Skin Toned China Head Doll Covered Wagon Antique Doll $579.99 |
|
|
Fine Quality5.5″ Antique China Head Dollhouse Doll 1860 $595.00 |
|
|
5″ Antique Covered Wagon Head China doll Ca.1850 CHRISTMAS ANGEL ALL Original $595.00 |
|
|
Vintage Bubble Head Barbie #5 & 1961 Barbie Doll Case NO GREEN EAR Awesome Doll! $600.00 |
|
|
Volks Super Dollfie SD13 Heath one-off head by K. Mayura from Japan FREE $0 ship $599.00 |
|
|
NEW VOLKS Dolpa 26 Limted NONO Sweet Dream Ver Head/ White Skin UV Protection $580.00 |
|
|
1989 French Corolle Doll 21″ Tall Vinyl Head Refabart Pervenche Doll Green Eyes $562.50 |
|
|
Antique German Handwerck Bisque Head Doll All Original 1800′s Circa $550.00 |
|
|
Schmitt & Fils French Bebe porcelain repro doll HEAD ONLY by Emily Hart $549.99 |
|
|
RARE VINTAGE BISQUE HEAD CHRISTIAN EICHORN SOHNE BROWN DOLL 9″ OPEN MOUTH $545.00 |
|
|
Volks Super Dollfie FCS40 head Japan Sato ONLY (Sunlight) FREE $0 ship $550.00 |
|
|
Luts Cerberus Project Cyber Bohemian Shiwoo limited head, outfit FREE $0 ship $550.00 |
|
|
antique porcelain head “Coquette” Gebrueder Heubach $549.90 |
|
|
Antique bisque head doll squeak toy Mariotte type $525.00 |
|
|
German Kley and Hahn Walkure bisque head antique doll with rare flapper body $500.00 |
|
|
Beautiful Antique ARMAND MARSEILLE Bisque Head Leather Doll. Germany 20″ $525.00 |
|
|
JUSTIN AERNI art Sculpture ooak doll : HALLOW HEAD BOY $495.00 |
|
|
16″ Rare Antique German Doll Porcelain Head High Brow Brunette $500.00 |
|
|
Large Bebe Bru jne 13 porcelain reproduction HEAD ONLY by Emily Hart $499.99 |
|
|
BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE 17″ GERMAN BISQUE HEAD, OPEN MOUTH DOLL, CROCHETED OUTFIT $499.99 |
|
|
3-1/2″ Antique Fine China Head doll with Blue Dressel Kister Mark (Head Only) $505.75 |
|
|
1910s Germany China Head Leather Woman Doll LOOK $510.00 |
|
|
Late 1800s/Early 1900s Wind Up Red Riding Hood, Bisque Head, Great Condition! $499.00 |
|
|
Antique I. R. Comb Co Goodyear Rubber Doll Blond Head 1880′s $500.00 |
|
|
SWEET ANTIQUE ARMAND MARSEILLE BISQUE HEAD 10″ CHARACTER BABY DOLL, c.1920′s $499.99 |
|
|
German Gebruder Heuback mold “8192″, bisque head and composition body 13 inch $499.00 |
|
|
LARGE 24″ SCHUTZMEISTER QUENDT 201 BISQUE HEAD CHARACTER DOLL GERMAN ANTIQUE $420.58 |
|
|
16 – 17″ ANTIQUE SIMON HALBIG K * R 122 BABY BISQUE HEAD ORIG. MOHAIR WIG S/E $475.00 |
|
|
Kestner 13 bisque doll HEAD ONLY by Emily Hart $499.99 |
|
|
Tonner 2011 Convention Broken Hearts Queen of Hearts Centerpiece 16″ Ltd 30 head $499.00 |
|
|
RARE ANTIQUE BISQUE HEAD DOLL IN CARVED WOOD OPEN MOUTH 1870 PERIOD $450.00 |
|
|
Antique Early Brown Eyed China Head Doll Body Dress $473.56 |
|
|
Vintage J.D.Kestner-Germany-Solid Bisque Head-Cork Filled Kid Body 12″ B-7 $465.00 |
|
|
14″ Heubach Koppelsdorf 267-1 Bisque Head Baby Doll $450.00 |
|
|
Original Antique Vintage Armand Marseille AM Dream Baby 341 / 4 Bisque Head Doll $450.00 |
|
|
Antique 1078 Simon Halbig Bisque Head Doll 5 Piece Body Molded Shoes A Beauty $444.99 |
|
|
Antique Kestner doll 27″ bisque head Dep 154.13 $440.00 |
|
|
antique porcelain head (Goebel, painted, 2.95″) $439.90 |
|
|
Antique Early China Head Flat Top Flowing Brown Dress $439.87 |
|
|
German Bisque Head Papier Mache Topsy Turvey Doll $425.00 |
|
|
Armand Marseille German Doll Marked #370 w/ Bisque Head $400.00 |
|
|
ADORABLE ARMAND MARSEILLE BISQUE HEAD “MY DREAM BABY” 14″ BABY DOLL, c.1920′s $399.99 |
|
|
ANTIQUE 24″ CM BERGMANN WALTERSHAUSEN 1916 9 GERMAN BISQUE HEAD REAL SEELEY BODY $399.99 |
