Types of Dolls

A

All-Bisque is a doll made entirely in bisque. It is usually less than 12" Tall. France and Germany dominated the market with these types of dolls.

Automata Dolls are dolls which are mechanical. Many of these were made between 1880 and 1920.

B

Bald head is a term used for the head of a doll which has no crown opening.

Bebes are French dolls which take the form of infants and young children. Bebes superseded the French Fashion dolls. Bebes have bisque heads.

Bisque head dolls were originally made in France and Germany. Bisque is an unglazed tinted porcelain and was popular from the 1850's onwards. Bisque head dolls can usually have either kid or compostition bodies.

C

Clockwork toys are also known as wind up toys. They can be dated back to the 15th Century. Clockwork toys are very collectible

Cloth dolls are also referred to as rag dolls and can be made out of many different types of fabric

Character dolls are dolls which individual expressions on their faces

Child dolls are renowned for having typically dolly faces.

China dolls are made of a white glazed porcelain which originated in China

D

Dutch Doll is another term for peg doll.

E

Excelsior is a term used to describe soft wood shavings or stuffing

F

Felt and Cloth dolls from the early eras are quite hard to find as they have mostly perished. Germany produced many washable dolls with muslin heads. Kathe Kruse made some of these from around 1910.

Fixed Eyes are eyes that do not move. This excludes painted eyes

French fashion dolls are dolls which depict the fashions of the time. Up until the early 20th century, fashion was extremely important and some people would prefer to go without food than to be unfashionable. This may seem extreme, but in Victorian times fashion could be the difference between a good marriage match and a bad marriage match. Fashion dolls were used to show off the beautiful designer dresses of the time.

French dolls are dolls which were made in France and were produced to compete with the German dolls. Makers include Juneau

G

German Dolls are dolls which amazingly enough are made in Germany. There were many famous German makers including Armande Marseille, Kestner, Biedermeier and Gebruder Heubach.

Googly Eye dolls are dolls whose eyes as extremely large and look to one side. Googly eyed dolls were a popular German export. Both Armande Marseille and Kestner made googly eyed dolls.

H

Half dolls are dainty porcelain figures which were popular in the 20th century. As their name implies, they usually consist of just the upper body. Half dolls were originally intended for ornamental use. They are usually made from bisque or porcelain and can take the form of pin cushions, tea cosies and other practical items. Dolls which depict the era are especially collectible.

I

Intaglio eyed dolls are dolls whose eyes are carved into a bisque head.

K

Kid dolls are dolls whose bodies are made from soft leather. This was a popular form for French Fashion dolls.

M

Marotte is a doll with a conical body and a bisque head which played music while turning round. They were an automata toy.

Moulded Hair Doll is a doll who does not have a wig but whose hair is moulded and painted as part of the head.

O

Open Mouth Doll is a doll whose mouth is open often revealing tongue and teeth

Open-Close Mouth Doll is a doll whose mouth appears to be open but in actual fact, has not opening.

P

Painted Bisque is bisque which is painted with natural colours to look like skin. The bisque is not fired so is vulnerable to flaking.

Paper Dolls are dolls which are made from paper or cardboard. They often come with accessories or clothes. Paper Dolls are extremely collectible and ones which are uncut are worth twice as much as those which have been cut out. Antique Paper Dolls are very rare as paper does not keep well.

Paperweight Eyes are eyes which are made of blown glass and made to look realistic. These are often found in French dolls.

Papier Mache is the term used for moulded paper pulp. This is often used for the bodies of bisque head dolls.

Parian is a pure white unglazed bisque.

Pate is a plate made of cardboard, plaster or cork which is placed over the crown of a bisque head.

Peg Doll is a wooden doll often made out of an old fashioned clothes peg. These dolls are sometimes known as Dutch Dolls.

Portrait Doll is a doll which is made to look like an actual person.

Poupard is a doll which is legless and is mounted on a stick.

S

Shoulder Head is where the doll's head and shoulders are moulded in one piece.

Sleep eyes are eyes in a doll which open and close.

T

Topsy Turvey Dolls are dolls which have two heads. The head not in use is normally hidden underneath petticoats or clothing.

Two Faced Doll is a doll who has a revolving head with a different face on each side.

V

Voice Box is a device which is placed inside the body so that the doll can talk, sing or cry.

W

Wax dolls are dolls which are made of wax.

Weighted Eyes are eyes which shut from the use of weights.

Wired Eyes are eyes which are made to shut from use of wires.