Porcelain dolls are made from a type of clay that is highly workable, strong, and beautiful. They originated in Europe in the 19th century and were popularized in England around 1770. Germany, the Czech Republic, and Paris are known for their delicate and lifelike dolls. Although plastics have replaced porcelain as the preferred material for doll making, a market for both modern and antique porcelain dolls persists. The classic porcelain doll has pale white skin with bright red rouge and lips, along with eyes and other features.
A porcelain doll is a doll whose head and limbs are made from porcelain, a special type of clay famous for being highly workable, strong, and beautiful. Porcelain dolls may also be referred to as porcelain dolls, referring to an alternative name for porcelain. This style of doll was popularized in Europe in the 19th century and a handful of doll makers continue to produce traditional porcelain dolls. Some very fine examples of antique dolls can be seen on display in museums and doll fairs.
Porcelain is a material originally from China. The Chinese managed to keep the secret of porcelain production to themselves for centuries, but in the early 1700s the Europeans finally figured out how to make it themselves and a European porcelain industry promptly exploded. One result of this industry was the porcelain doll, which originated in England around 1770. Early British porcelain dolls were crude and basic, but the design had clear potential. German and Dutch firms picked up on the style and began making porcelain dolls, and a huge fashion developed in the 1820s.
Germany and the Czech Republic have long been centers of porcelain doll production, and both of these regions are known for their delicate and lifelike dolls. Paris has also become a major location for doll making, with porcelain dolls from this popular French city showcasing the latest fashions. The French also developed the bebe, the first porcelain doll designed to look like a baby, rather than an adult. Throughout the Edwardian period, porcelain dolls were very popular and widespread in Europe.
In the 20th century, materials such as plastics began to replace porcelain as the preferred material for doll making. However, a market for both modern and antique porcelain dolls persists, and many people collect great examples they find on their travels. Classically, porcelain dolls are female, although male versions are available, and have skin that can have a dull or slightly shiny appearance. Matte dolls are known as “bisque,” while glossy dolls are sometimes called “porcelain.”
A porcelain doll’s skin is classically very pale white, with the addition of bright red rouge and lips, along with eyes and other features. Some dolls have modeled and painted hair, while others wear wigs and the doll is usually poseable, thanks to the soft body in the center of the doll. There are many different styles and designs available, and several companies publish guides to antique dolls that people can use as a reference when determining a doll’s provenance and value.
Curiously, although porcelain is a famous product of China, the Chinese have historically used materials such as wood and paper mache for their dolls.
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