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Early Antique Dolls
The oldest antique dolls are carved from wood and are very rare. The majority were made in England from 1850 on with painted features and costumes representing 17th and 18th century adults. The second oldest were created from papier mache and are easier to find. Mass produced in France, Germany and the United States from the beginning of the 19th century to the early 20th century, most have molded hair painted black, wooden limbs and painted eyes. Poured wax was another early substance used to make dolls. Because wax better mimics skin than wood and papier mache, these dolls often have realistic heads with glass eyes.
China and Bisque Dolls
China dolls were most popular between 1840 and 1880 and have glazed porcelain heads. Mass produced as late as the 1920s, they may be identified by hairstyles, which copied styles of the time including ones inspired by Alice in Wonderland and Dolly Madison. They usually represented ladies and were fashionably dressed. French and German bisque dolls, also called fashion dolls, are the best known group of antique dolls. Made from the 1840s until World War I, they portrayed ladies, have glass eyes and were exquisitely dressed. Some came with trunks of clothes and accessories and girls often practiced sewing skills by making additional costumes for these dolls.
French BeBe and German Dolly Faced Dolls
French BeBe Dolls were popular in the late 1800s and the first dolls representing children. They have fine bisque heads, pleasant facial expressions and costumes reflecting girlish fashions of the day. German Dolly Faced Dolls, produced from 1890 to about 1930, are the antique bisque dolls most likely to be found today. The most desired are character faced dolls, made to appease consumer demand for more realistic looking dolls.
Prices
Prices for antique dolls vary greatly, depending on age, rarity, condition, manufacturer and demand. An English wood doll from the late 17th century can exceed $20,000, as can some French or German bisque dolls. Other dolls can be purchased for several hundred dollars, including some china dolls and more common German Dolly Faced dolls that are unmarked by the manufacturer. It is wise to consult price guides and learn the terminology of the antique doll market, advises Denise Van Patten, collector, doll shop owner and author of the Official Price Guide to Dolls.
Expert Insight
Problems with condition can greatly diminish the value of an antique doll. Van Patten recommends checking dolls for issues like hairline cracks in the bisque, eyes that have been reset and whether or not the doll's head matches its body. There are also many reproductions of porcelain dolls and it can be difficult to tell from the head if a doll is antique, but the body helps reveal the true age. Most dolls were originally purchased as toys to be played with and the older body will show signs of wear.
Where to Buy
Antique dolls can be purchased through dealers and shops, either online or in person. They can also be found at doll shows and through live or online auctions. Antique shops and estate sales might also prove to be good places for acquiring antique dolls.