Posted 8 years ago
Bonnie201
(1 item)
I have a huge antique bisque head chunky baby doll which has a missing composition arm and wonder if anyone would be able to help. She is a Schuetzmeister & Quendt. Mould number 201 / 15 and will measure approx. 29” / 30” long once put together again.
I have looked on all the usual auction sites and even tried doll hospitals in order to find either another arm or someone who could make one.
As you can see the body and limbs are extremely well moulded.
The arm measured directly across from the top to the end of the fingers is approx. 10.25” long. The hand is 2.75” across to the tip of the thumb. 1 7/8” across the lower part of the four fingers. The ball joint at the top of the arm is wooden with a deep groove and measures approx. 8.50” circumference (max).
I found her in a dog basket about 10 years ago. Most likely from the amount of dirt that is evident, she has been in a loft for a good number of years. I've grown very fond of her and named her 'Bonnie'. I will not give up on her and look forward to the day when she can be cleaned and dressed in the antique white dress that I have waiting for her!
Many thanks Valerie
What an interesting doll...I kind of remember dolls being really big but that is the biggest Muscley doll I've ever seen but what I find interesting is the face...It has such character & has such a pretty face...
Many thanks for your comment. Yes, she is a 'big' girl! I have not come across such a large doll during my searches and I wonder if anyone else has - it would be nice to know if she has a twin out there somewhere!
Is that a married piece? The head does not seem to match the body at all.
I have not come across another doll head or doll body of this type and size in order to compare. I have seen on occasion, a similar body on other dolls but they have been much smaller and not so well defined. Given the quality, unusual size of the head and then again the huge body size, I can't think of them as not being the same doll. To have one doll of this size and quality I believe is rare in its self. I don't know what the number '15' on the back of the doll head represents and if that is supposed be the size in someway?
Me again
I have just found a doll the same size and numbers (201 - 15). This one was sold at auction in 2014 - so the head is correct to the body. Many thanks for your interest.
The body is correct for her head . Bonnie you might want to buy a different body it will be easier than ever finding one arm. The head could be put on a straight leg composition body as long as head opening is correct size. She is much to nice to not be put back together :-) The value is in her head more than body as long as you use a antique body .
And oh yes they made very large Bisque dolls I had one 36 inches and have seen up to 42 in antique dolls .
Your doll was made to be on a babies body but it maybe harder to find the bent leg body in your size but possible if you search long enough . How long is body ?
Many thanks for all your comments Manikin. Yes, I have considered another body, hopefully of a similar quality. I did spot one recently but it just falls short of the size. Mind you it would cost me, as it is in the USA and I live in Scotland UK! As I expect that it will be expensive, I must make absolutely sure that a new body will be the correct size. The measurements are: approx. 54 cm measured from the back of the neck down one leg to her toes. The torso is 32cm long, the chest is 48cm and the inner neck opening is 6.50cm. I didn't measure the 'tum' as I have a feeling that it would be impossible to find another body with a tummy as large as she has!
Does anyone know anything more on this doll and why she is so big? Surely, a doll of this size and weight wouldn't have been played with by a little girl! Would she have just been used as a status symbol in the nursery ? She appears to be too well moulded to be a shop manikin!
WOW...........That Baby has some Biceps !!