Posted 12 years ago
Aliobaba
(11 items)
By the notes Aunt Nellie wrote, this little girl may have come to my great-grandmother in MA via California (1860's?), via ?? Hard to tell what she's made of but she's pretty crackley. Her outfit is multi-layered (about 6), and is in excellent condition surprisingly. The clothes are a bit dirty though, or nicer to say "very loved". Would love to find out more about this sad-faced doll and what I can do to clean her up a bit. Thanks!
I can not tell by photo is dolls head show tin under paint or not ? She is either a metal head doll or paper mache . I can better date her if you let me know about head first .
Paper mache doll circa 1850's appx. I do see what appears to be a old label so I am pretty sure she was made by Superior Dolls as they used that size label . Here is a close example of yours . They are referred to as Greiner type . Greiner was a type of doll and a certain hairstyle that yours does not have so she is like one but isn't . Hope that makes sense . The price on the one I am showing you is just what that seller thinks value should be it is not always correct what sellers price at . She is a Lovely old doll !!!!!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Superior-or-Greiner-Type-Papier-Mache-Shoulder-Head-Doll-Old-Body-/380400064253?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58919c56fd#ht_8435wt_1061
Papier (or Paper) Mache dolls were introduced in Germany in the early 1800s. Prior to then, most dolls were carved out of wood; a few were molded (simply) in wax. Papier Mache was a good material to make doll heads from because it could be molded and painted. Molding allowed more realistic doll features than carving, and the dolls were lighter than carved wood. Papier Mache was the preferred material by German doll makers until the mid 1800s when China Dolls were introduced.
What is Papier Mache?:
According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Papier Mache is a French term meaning "literally, chewed paper; a light strong molding material of wastepaper pulped with glue and other additives." This substance can be placed in molds to create doll heads.
Dates of Production of Paper Mache Dolls:
Although very early (pre-1800) Papier Mache dolls have been found, they are relatively rare. In the early 1800s the German doll industry discovered Papier Mache dolls, and by the 1830s and 1840s, they were the most popular material for dollmaking. Papier Mache dolls were also made in France and the United states in the 1800s. Although production of the dolls greatly declined when china dolls became common, they were made throughout the 1800s, and doll some artists today still work with it.
Do not wash her or attempt to clean !
Thank you so much, Manikin..I'm so glad we found you. Yes..I am pretty sure she is paper mache and not tin, and it seems her arms and feet are made of leather and the rest of her is cloth. I am so taken by the detail of her dress and the buttons down the front. I'm wondering where you see the label? Is it on the back somewhere? And oh...I won't wash her, and should I leave her clothes alone too?
There is a square or rectangular spot on her just below where the string is holding head on that is where label would have been for Superior would have put label . It is not as rough as the other paint . Do you see it now ? She is delightfully wonderful just as she is . She has held up pretty well for her age and it is common to see these missing and having paint flaking . The photo if you click on her dressed is very tiny I can't see her clothes from it . Could you retake or send it again in larger format ? I would love to see her clothes too !
Not sure how to directly send you the other photos of this dolly, so I'm going to set up another show and tell I guess. Still can't find any symbol, but it just could be me.
I have some other cool stuff too that has popped up in looking through some old boxes. I'll get to posting them soon.
You can email me me the doll dressed and photo should be larger . My email is Manikin1234@aol.com . You won't see a symbol it was merely a paper label that is long gone . if you send me photo's I can enlarge them and point it out to you :-)
She is wonderful!
What a lovely doll and I would never clean her up!