I received this doll, in parts, after my mother passed away. I am trying to find information on it. The head is porcelain, body is filled with saw dust but I can’t figure out what the arms and legs are made of. Any help would be greatly appreciated. [img]https://kovels.com/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/Doll_head.jpg[/img]
She’s a China head doll, a type of high-quality porcelain. She has what’s called a low-brow hairstyle. Her body is likely made of kid leather or cloth with China hands and legs with boots. If I remember right, China head dolls were manufactured in the 1800’s & 1900’s, possibly earlier.
From what I can see of her face, she doesn’t appear to be a reproduction. But you really need to have someone who knows antique dolls take a look at her to be certain. Reproductions from the Sixties usually have a number 5 stamped on back of neck. That’s a dead give-away and the repros aren’t worth much. They were mass-produced as hobby kits. The authentic antique china heads will often have stipling (black flecks in the porcelain) from the firing.
You say she’s in pieces. Any cracks or chips will detract from her value, so hopefully, she’s not. Nice antique china heads (not repros) are sought after by collectors and they don’t mind making minor repairs to seams in the body. Try to save as much of the original sawdust as you can, if it’s leaking. You can run a search with the terms China head doll and should find some info.
Good luck and hope that helps. She’s lovely! 🙂
