Friday, March 1, 2019

Bisque Dolls


             

Have you ever walked into an antique store and been amazed at the dolls that look so real? I know I have. Some of the dolls take you back to the old times. The time of the fashions of the period. The dolls are so lifelike that you stare at them wondering how they can be so real.

                Well, many of those vintage dolls are actually “bisque dolls”. They are often called porcelain dolls. They were commonly made in the late 1860s, and were unglazed porcelain. In the 1860s, several French doll firms created the first unglazed porcelain dolls. These porcelain, or termed bisque dolls allowed for a more realistic skin tone. They are still made even today. But since they are so breakable and expensive, they are not made for play dolls. Thus, the bisque dolls are only made today for collectors.

                But, in the 1860s when they were first made, the bisque dolls were very popular, until the early 1900s. Then in the 1980s they become more popular once more, as collectors were attracted to the realistic features of the dolls.

                A doll is considered bisque if the head is made of bisque. However, bisque is heavy, and only small dolls were known to be made entirely of bisque. Small bisque dolls were often called “penny dolls”.

                Throughout history literally thousands of companies have manufactured bisque dolls. Most of them first began in France, but many then started in the Thuringa region of Germany in the late 1800s. It was not until the early 1900s when bisque dolls were first made in the United States. Today, most dolls are made in, you guessed it, China.

                You would be shocked at the cost of some of the dolls. They go from just a few dollars to over $200,000. Most of the dolls today are in the $20 to $500 range. It all depends on the materials used, as well as how unique the doll is.

                As you can expect, collecting dolls is extremely popular. Many doll collectors have had to decide whether to collect dolls made of bisque or of high quality vinyl. Some collectors will have dolls made of both.

                Many doll companies will make dolls made of both vinyl and bisque. Some will only make one or the other, as is the case with the Marie Osmond Company. It only makes bisque dolls.

                Bisque dolls can be broken more easily than vinyl dolls, but can last for centuries. Bisque doll collectors should be able to decide if a particular doll is more valuable than another. Often, the way the doll’s face is painted will determine the value. But the quality of the bisque is important as well. The bisque should not have too many black flecks or pin holes. Also, the bisque should not be chalky or heavy.

                A bisque doll that is well-painted should have finely detailed painted eyelashes and eyebrows, well-defined lips, and cheek blush that is not too blotchy.

                Bisque dolls fall into three types, adult fashion dolls, baby dolls, and character dolls. Character dolls depict a certain costume or personality.

                Of course, collectors are captivated by bisque dolls. They are often passed from generation to generation, and are a treasured heirloom.

                When bisque dolls ae auctioned, prices can vary. Take these prices for example.

                A pair of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt vintage dolls were auctioned for just under $500, while a pair of Georgene Averill Bisque Bonnie babe dolls from 1926 went for $900. Bisque dolls have gone for much higher amounts as well. A black bebe doll went for $47,500, while an extremely rare French bisque doll by Albert Marque was auctioned for an astounding $150,000.

                Doll collectors are one of the largest groups of collectors. Most bisque doll collectors are women, and they are very much aware of what make up a valuable doll. They just need to remember to put the dolls in display cases where they are out of harm’s way.

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