A GUIDE FOR ANTIQUE DOLL OWNERS AND MORE (IDENTIFYING)

or: How to identify antique dolls

In 2014, Theriault sold a bisque doll for $300,000. The antique doll was one of the few surviving dolls from the exclusive set of 100. On top of that, Albert Marque made these dolls, especially for Parisian Couturier Jeanne Margaine-LaCroix 1916.

All this amazing history surely makes the doll worth 3 million dollars. However, if nobody identified had this collectible or researched its past, we bet it would have held zero value. In fact, it would have become a plaything for children!

Knowing how to identify antique dolls is very important. Doll owners and collectors can benefit a lot from this knowledge.

1. Look At The Manufacturer’s Mark

The first and easiest way to look at the manufacturer’s mark. It is a unique combination of letters and numbers left by the manufacturer. Since most people lose the packaging and tags on the doll, these marks help preserve the identity.

It can be present anywhere on the doll’s structure. Most antique dolls will have it on the head or neck. While searching for the mark there, be gentle and patient with your movements.

Antique dolls have fragile wigs that may come off. Carefully lift up the hair to search for any embossed or engraved marks. Some other common places include the underarms, back, and bottom of the feet.

Each doll has a different manufacturer’s mark. But, it reveals very important information necessary for identification. So, once found, read and understand what it says.

A typical mark will state the country of production, manufacturer name, and doll size. The manufacturer’s name can be present in full form, with initials, or even as a signature symbol.

These marks are difficult to interpret because many independent doll makers have different symbols. And, not everyone has memorized the complete directory!

So, take a picture of the mark or draw an exact replica. Then, research online and browse through relevant guidebooks.

Popular Antique Doll Manufacturer’s Mark

Now that you know, the first step is the identification of the doll maker mark. Here’s a list of the famous marks people have discovered over the years. Hopefully, this will give you a better idea of the places to look.

Antique Doll Manufacturers

The past is filled with doll makers and companies. However, only some people have produced high-value dolls that collectors seek actively today.

So, once you’ve identified the doll manufacturer, do a background check to decide whether it’s high value or low-value antique.

2. Check For the Country Of Origin

Throughout history, many acts and policies have been imposed on the people of the US. However, the one law that is actually useful for an antique doll collector is the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890.

It states that any product brought from outside the US will have the country of origin marked on it. The purpose was to increase awareness about imported products and maintain transparency. But, for collectors, this means another way to identify an antique!

If you find an old doll in the US with a country of origin marked on it, know that it’s from the post-1890s era. Of course, this alone is not sufficient to confirm whether a doll is a high-value collectible.

Some mint-condition antiques may look just like new dolls and vice versa. So, you will need to look for other details too.

3. Identify The Type Of Doll

If you thought vintage dolls and modern dolls were the only categories on the market, you’ve been very much mistaken!

There’s an array of old dolls that can be classified into different categories. You can sort them into types based on material, special editions, manufacturing technique, and whatnot.

Although using this method to identify a vintage doll can be time-consuming, it’s worth it all.

Based On Material

Over the years, many materials have been used to produce dolls. Wood was the most popular choice during the 1500s. However, there were no wood-preserving methods in those days.

Hardly any wood doll made it through the 1700s. Then, people started creating wax dolls that were long-lasting and durable. Some models that have survived until now are truly antiques and highly valuable. The Petite Wax Doll from the 18th century was found in very good condition. It had original clothes with little to no damage. This exceptional collectible sold for $17,000.

Hardly any wood doll made it through the 1700s. Then, people started creating wax dolls that were long-lasting and durable. Some models that have survived until now are truly antiques and highly valuable. The Petite Wax Doll from the 18th century was found in very good condition. It had original clothes with little to no damage. This exceptional collectible sold for $17,000.

After wax dolls, porcelain and bisque took over the market. These materials allowed craftsmen to make realistic-looking figures. However, they were susceptible to breakage too.

The discovery of celluloid replaced porcelain dolls in the 1870s. This particular material helped increase the longevity of the products.

Soon, composition dolls followed and took manufacturing to the next level. Composition dolls are completely or partially made from a composite material. It’s a mixture of glue, sawdust, resin, cornstarch, etc. These antique dolls are typically large to imitate a small toddler. They have huge heads with sleepy eyes and wigs.

Later, in the 1900s, vinyl and plastic dolls came out. These types of dolls are fairly modern and still in use. Collectors don’t usually go for these dolls.

The only types of old dolls that hold the most value are porcelain and bisque dolls. People, who are new to these types, will find it difficult to differentiate between both.

Porcelain Dolls

In the 1800s, porcelain was one of the new trending materials used in dolls. It was basically a paste of clay and water. People molded it into a doll head and fired it at high temperatures (2300F).

The facial features were painted after the doll’s head was fired several times. This particular step ensured rigidity and strength. All of these dolls also had a fine glaze.

Some people also refer to these old porcelain dolls as Chinese dolls. You can identify them by their shiny, gleaming faces. Even the earliest antiques have a smooth, glazed surface.

Some people also refer to these old porcelain dolls as Chinese dolls. You can identify them by their shiny, gleaming faces. Even the earliest antiques have a smooth, glazed surface.

Later, some French and German firms started producing bisque doll heads without the glaze.

These dolls had the same realistic painted faces. However, the shine was replaced by a matte, dull look. These are known as bisque dolls.

The lack of glaze also means that the pores on the surface are open. You’ll find bulks of dust and dirt collected in them. The more dirt, the older the doll.

Bisque dolls with unpainted and pale white faces are called Parian dolls. These dolls were typically for display rather than play. So, you can find some collectibles in very fine and new condition.

4. Find Cracks & Fine Lines

Antique dolls are found in all kinds of conditions. You will come across mint ones and battered, old ones. However, an effective way to ensure you possess an antique is to find signs of wear.

Unlike new dolls, all the antiques will have fine cracks and lines forming over their faces. They start from one point and spread over the area. Dolls used for play have more visible lines than display dolls.

There are several other factors that you should consider: the type, manufacturer’s mark, and many others.

5. Inspect The Facial Features

The doll’s face has a lot of things that you can use to identify whether it’s antique or not. For example, the earliest dolls have plain and flat face structures. Meanwhile, the vintage ones have more detailed and realistic-looking shapes.

However, they are usually round and chubby. None of the antiques has slim face structures like that of today. There are no sharp jawlines, delicate almond-shaped eyes, and styled lips.

Another thing worth noticing is that the ancient dolls have painted eyes. It was only after 1870 that glass-inset eyes were introduced. These are stationary and keep staring ahead.

The 1900s dolls typically have large, rounded eyes that look sideways. But, they still cannot move at all. Only modern ones can do it.

Moreover, also focus on the color of the eyes. Old dolls usually have solid brown, black, or light blue colors. If a doll has dual-colored and ombre shades, it’s not an antique.

The overall face of an antique doll should be dull, discolored, and faded. Porcelain dolls may have a glaze, but they will not be bright and gleaming after all these years.

Baby Dolls

Before the late 1800s, dolls always had an adult face. They would look like mature girls and women. However, soon, manufacturers started making dolls that resembled children.

So, if you find an old doll with adult facial features, know that it’s a pure antique.

Before the late 1800s, dolls always had an adult face. They would look like mature girls and women. However, soon, manufacturers started making dolls that resembled children.

So, if you find an old doll with adult facial features, know that it’s a pure antique.

6. Check For Painted Hair

Painted hair is the most common sign of an antique doll. Back in time, people didn’t have the resources or tools to root hair into the doll’s head. Instead, they painted them like the rest of the facial features.

The color is typically brown, black, or blonde. There is no specific style in which the hair was painted. However, you’ll notice that in Chinese head dolls, the hair is always parted in the middle.

All that said, the only exception for painted hair is the antique porcelain dolls of the 1800s. These dolls first came with wigs made from human hair or mohair (mohair refers to the hair of an angora goat).

German porcelain dolls had the wigs glued entirely to the head. The color of the wigs was usually red because it was considered unlucky.

Later, dolls started coming with rooted hair. Since all the new dolls have rooted hair, it’s best to examine them very carefully for antique identification.

7. Examine The Doll Clothing

Most modern dolls feature Victorian-style dresses and gowns. In fact, the ancient designs are commonly replicated to make the dolls look aesthetic and retro. So, how will you identify an antique by clothing?

The answer is simple: you’ll assess the materials used!

Antique dolls will have clothes made from genuine leather or (research on materials). They will not have synthetic fabric outfits and velcro fastenings.

Plus, the clothing will be worn out and aged. It will show wear in the form of discoloration, stains, and loose stitches. But, some well-preserved antiques have new clothes too.

These rare finds are like gems for collectors. You can also go through the inside of the clothes to find any tags that may unveil information.

8. Look At The Body & Stuffing Inside

The oldest dolls had bodies completely made from wood, porcelain, or bisque. These dolls had hard and rigid structures to support the heavy heads. If you find any such doll, know that it’s a rare antique right away.

All the vintage dolls made during the 18th and 19th centuries have stuffed bodies. The material filled inside was usually horsehair or sawdust. So, if possible, look into the stuffing inside and see what it is.

Note that antique dolls will always have tight stuffing. Loose, polyester stuffings are present in modern dolls.

Other than this, also evaluate the body structure of the doll. It should be one piece with No separate parts. Only the head will be attached.

9. Seek Professional Assistance

If none of the ways mentioned above work for you, don’t be disheartened. Numerous antique doll professionals can help you. They can identify the doll’s type, value, era, and all the relevant information correctly.

Here’s how to seek professional assistance to identify an antique doll:

• Take it to a reputable antique doll appraiser.
• Capture images and send them to an online doll appraiser.
• Visit an antique doll show or museum and seek guidance from experts.
• Find an antique dealer who specializes in dolls.
• Other than this, your best resource for antique doll identification is the collectors. These individuals have years’ worth of experience and knowledge that can help you a lot.

To recap, you can identify an antique by:

1. Manufacturer’s mark
2. Country of origin
3. Type of doll
4. Fine lines & cracks
5. Facial features
6. Painted hair
7. Body structure & stuffing
8. Doll clothing
9. Professional assistance

Source: https://www.jacquelinestallone.com/how-to-identify-antique-dolls/