Armand Marseille

Armand Marseille

German antique dolls - a little history

From the 1840 through to early 1920, some of the most beautiful dolls ever created, produced in Germany.

The earliest dolls, often referred to as Parian (ie Untinted bisque) were created in the ceramic factories famous Copenhagen and Dresden. These dolls had beautifully delicate molded features, including not only the face, but her hair, well, often with ribbons molding, bows, snood, flowers and sometimes a necklace. Delicate exacting colorations made every one of these dolls a work of art. These dolls are rare and valuable.

Its popularity peaked in the late 1870's and can be dated by their hairstyles. Parian Bisque led to the more common China Head Dolls. These dolls were mass produced, and has a glossy enamel finish Untinted plain soup. These dolls ranged in size from a small "height frozen charlotte type dolls large as 24 ". These dolls are more popular between 1860 and 1900, as a cheaper alternative to the rage of the wrist, Seafood Soup tinted unglazed which was becoming more and more popular and available. In the early 1890's the German doll manufacturers began mass producing many lovely quality dolls that began to compete with the quality of the French dolls.

Dolls began modeling at real children. Emotions and expressions became visible. The famous period of "platform-type" face was born.
These beautiful dolls expensive car traditionally had "sleep eyes" made to open and close, put on his head carefully with plaster. The eyes were hand blown glass. They are also open mouth, usually shows four upper teeth. Fine mohair wigs, or human hair wigs were also used in these dolls. The heads were attached to sophisticated ball joint bodies.

Many of these car doll face circumstances is produced in small craft, and the creator of many is still unknown. The most famous of the German manufacturers such as Heinrich Handwerck wrist, Heuback-Kopplesdorf, Kammer and Reinhard, JDKestner, Armand Marseille and Simon and Halbig, clearly as its hallmark, and doll numbers cast into the back of the neck of the wrist, making it possible to date, the value and evaluation of many wrists.

One of the most famous dolls of all to get out of this period was the "Bye-Lo" doll. It is documented that the artist Grace Putnam Flat searched hospital nurseries in the early 1920 looking for the appropriate model for this little doll. The Bye-Lo baby was followed by "My Dream Baby."

The value attributed to former German Dolls, is based on its rarity, quality in the manufacture of a particular doll, the condition of the wrist, and the amount the wrist is maintained in original condition. This includes factors such as the repair of the head or body, replaced eyes or wig, and many other factors.

German antique dolls continue to appreciate in value. The quality and talent put into every doll made is appreciated more and more by collectors of antique dolls go year.

About the Author

For more information on doll collecting, and antique dolls, visit http://www.eloradollhouse.com Jayne Cremasco has been a doll retailer and appraiser for over 25 years.