Anita Jo Intenzo
Author, ESTATE OF HORROR and DARK TRANSFERENCE
Entrepreneur, PAST IMAGES BY ANITA
Author, ESTATE OF HORROR and DARK TRANSFERENCE
Entrepreneur, PAST IMAGES BY ANITA
Doll History
Basic Doll Information
Dolls have fascinated the young and old for thousands of years. There is so much to learn about antique dolls - about their history and provenance, their creators and manufacturers and the seamstresses who made their costumes. Research turns up more information about all of this each year, as prices and collector interest continues to rise on all but the most common antique dolls.
Generally, dolls created before 1930 are considered antique. Within this category are pre-1930 bisque, china, papier mache, wood and wax dolls. For years, all-composition dolls were considered modern; however that is changing and many of the pre-1930 composition dolls are now viewed by collectors as antique as well.
One reason for this division is that many of the German manufacturers of bisque dolls made them from the 1890's through about 1930, and it is often hard to tell exactly what decade the doll was produced in not in original clothing. Unfortunately, most dolls found today are not wearing their original clothing, wigs, shoes or undergarments.
One reason for this division is that many of the German manufacturers of bisque dolls made them from the 1890's through about 1930, and it is often hard to tell exactly what decade the doll was produced in not in original clothing. Unfortunately, most dolls found today are not wearing their original clothing, wigs, shoes or undergarments.
Would you like an estimate
for an item to be restored?
For more information about Past Images By Anita, including hours of operation, specific services and fees and pricing, visit the Fees and Payments page.
Thank you.
Early Dolls
The majority of antique dolls found today were manufactured from 1830 and on, although dolls representing adults from the 17th and 18th century are rarely found.
Most of the very early dolls were made in England by individual craftsmen who carved the dolls of wood, painted their features, and also costumed the dolls. Collectors call the wood dolls from England from the 18th and early 19th centuries "Queen Anne" dolls, which is somewhat confusing, since Queen Anne's reign ended in 1714! These dolls, when in good condition, are extremely rare, and cost from an estimated $1,500 for an early century doll, to over $40,000 for dolls made in the late 17th century. Very few of the latter have survived - less than 30 by some reports.
Most of the very early dolls were made in England by individual craftsmen who carved the dolls of wood, painted their features, and also costumed the dolls. Collectors call the wood dolls from England from the 18th and early 19th centuries "Queen Anne" dolls, which is somewhat confusing, since Queen Anne's reign ended in 1714! These dolls, when in good condition, are extremely rare, and cost from an estimated $1,500 for an early century doll, to over $40,000 for dolls made in the late 17th century. Very few of the latter have survived - less than 30 by some reports.
NEXT: Collecting Dolls