Posted 11 years ago
jatslo
(10 items)
I'm in possession of one very nice Porcelain Doll (un-named, but I call her Angel) The following text and corresponding pictures are representative a brief synopsis of what I know:
This Doll is a Tree Topper with a green dress adorned with white lace. I suspect the doll is 30+ years old. The only mark that I can find is a Price Tag that I assume was it's retail price at the time of purchase, which wasn't cheap. The appears to be of a Chinese origin, which I suspect is a reproduction of something much older. Oh, she also has angel wings that are actual brown feathers of an unidentified species of bird.
I have a strong suspicion that this doll is very close to being an antique, if not already. Any help identifying her will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Scott L. Ornelas a.k.a. Jatslo
Jatslo! Marketing & Web Design Specialists
Her eyes are painted in style of Antique China dolls not Chinese, but may have been made in China . Dates about 1970s at earliest or later . She is not a reproduction or copy of any antique doll made . Was just made to look in the style of a antique doll
She's pretty old... The clothes have aged quite nicely, and so has the glue. I really don't know anything more than that. Any idea how much it's worth and/or who manufactured it?
She is not made of old porcelain it is contemporary doll or tree topper. Old porcelain called bisque has a definite look and not like her , Maker unknown . I suspect a import doll .Maybe the feathers will help her with price . But I am reluctant to price dolls as we don't normally set a price . Very few people collect or buy contemporary porcelain dolls so market is very small unless priced very low . I would try for 20 in your store and take offers . Some of these dolls sold with high price tags and the market was aimed at older woman who bought them thinking they would increase in value ,now left with large collections with very little value . A few exceptions are some famous artist dolls survived the massive drop in price ,they did decline but are still bought and collected . Those are far and in between though .
I've heard "...massive drop in price..." before. I wish there were some way to accurately date this doll. The price tag is a bit high, which indicates that it predates the "...massive drop in price..." as you say. This event took place when?
... and thank you, Manikin; you've been very helpful. I think my Doll Expert would enjoy speaking with you. She has over 4,000 dolls; many of which are Antiques and quite valuable. She has so many, in fact, she's considering opening a museum. I'm the kind of guy who can make that happen for her.
The drop began in late 90's .
Actually the drop began mid 90's . Your friend needs to find a reputable doll dealer to come to her house they can make quick id's . A general Antique dealer is not way to go. Find some that belongs to UFDC and has references since some doll dealers don't always know what they are talking about I have met some of them also . I was lucky to have been mentored by one of the most repected Antique doll dealers in US for now 40 years as he still comes up with a rare one That is not seen often . Good luck
I've recently been buying dolls for a very small fraction of what they are worth. The dolls I'm showing are mine. I expressed a desire to buy, sell and trade porcelain. My friend suggested that I deal in dolls, and it just so happened that I ran into many dolls. She would never part with her dolls, and knows what every one of them are. Perhaps, if she does open a Museum, you could come see for yourself.
I wish you well in your new adventure . I suggest you get as many books as you can they are a great asset when you start . Know the market and what is hot and what is not . I worked in a doll museum 20 years . I shy away from them a bit as my interests have changed in what I collect today :-)
I've searched the libraries for books, yes; however, I've not found a single one that deals in the dolls that I have. I'm a sculptor, and am exploring some possibilities. As you know, porcelain is translucent. I'm considering integrating light effects in my designs, if I do. Possibly with solar technology; batteries not required ;o)
What do you think of that?
I guess my question is what market are you targeting ? Antique bisque had a translucent look that modern porcelain dolls do not .
Porcelain is what I've been researching, i.e. Vintage, Antiques... For example, I nearly acquired a 40 piece set of Spode China (19th-century). I assume that Vintage is 20 years old, and antiques are 50 years old. Then there are relics then fossils, for example. Perhaps you could enlighten me about too.
I'm also a chemist to some extent, so I'm quite capable of manufacturing my own chemicals, but in retrospect. Light will refract and reflect quite nicely as it interacts with porcelain. Various porcelain compounds could produce just about very color of the rainbow, for example. Hold a quality porcelain to the light, and you will see the silhouette of your had through the piece, right?
You have to really look at porcelain at a microscopic level to really appreciate the beauty. In essence, if I were to make a frog, I'd want the frog to refract and reflect subtle green colors, and no I'm not talking about glazes. Although, hand-painted glazes would truly enhance the value.
Something that appears white might not be white under all conditions.
Okay. Porcelain is usually the sign of a 80's-90's mass-produced cheaply made doll. Your doll is nice and all, but it's not old. Good luck on the museum, I guess.