Regent Porcelain Guidelines

By Victor Epand

The second largest hobby within the United States is antique doll collecting, which includes porcelain dolls. There are a large variety of antique dolls to choose from and collectors need to learn every bit of vital information available to enable them to build their collections properly.

Porcelain dolls are normally handcrafted from a high quality of porcelain and then are hand painted to express facial features in eloquent poses. Collectors have even collect dream catchers that feature stunning porcelain dolls, which they feel gives them the power to have good dreams. Many dream catchers wear costumes that are made from suede with beads that hand applied and accented with feathers.

Porcelain dolls are so expensive often time due to the popularity of the artist, the quantity that has been produced, and how limited the numbers were. Of course, original artists collectible porcelain dolls are much more valuable than the more mass produced porcelain dolls. These types of collections can be educational as well as exciting, and displaying your collection is an intricate part of the pride of a collector. Locating porcelain dolls from antique stores, flea markets, and garage sales can be quite challenging, but there are a variety of choices to choose from.

Collectors of these beautiful dolls know that they can be quite expensive, however, collectors can purchase porcelain dolls that are rarely found that have been restored. Before purchasing an porcelain doll that has had a restoration done to it be sure that it was done correctly by using original materials and the proper techniques. The fabrics and trims used to restore the porcelain doll should always be representatives from the period that the doll was originally produced, which will help keep its integrity and in determining their value.

During the 1800s, porcelain dolls were produced in Germany, France, and Denmark by hand, but then during the last of the nineteenth century manufactures began mass producing the arms, legs, and heads of these marvelous dolls in Germany. There are two types of porcelain dolls which are china that have a glazed face, and bisque where the skin has a more natural look and has an unglazed finish.

The French introduced the “BeBe” during the middle of the 1800s by Emil Louis Jumeau, which wore clothing that resembled the fashion that was currently being worn by the higher class females of that day. Porcelain dolls that were produced in Germany were not as elegant as their French counterparts, but they were much more popular with the general population because they were much more affordable. Today it is not hard to locate porcelain dolls that resemble babies, youngsters, and adults, which are available in a number of sizes, nationalities, and costumes.

When collectors purchase porcelain dolls today they will find that they are considered to be artistic pieces and they will usually come with a certificate of authenticity and a registration card. Porcelain dolls will be stuffed with cloth that includes a wire type armature to help pose the doll.

By Jason Gluckman

Before the 1900’s, dolls were made out of materials such as paper mache, wax, clay, and wood, depending on the culture. By the 1900’s, porcelain dolls were made and enjoyed increasing popularity. Early porcelain dolls from this time period are considered to be antiques and are a popular collector’s item.

German Porcelain Dolls

The Germans seem to be one of the leaders when it comes to antique porcelain dolls. There are several manufacturers and people who just start out collecting porcelain dolls often begin their collection with certain German porcelain doll styles. Many believe that they are more than just dolls. They are little works of art. You can find information about German porcelain dolls online and in books. There are still doll shops in Germany that use traditional methods. Consider contacting one of them for a tour.

Other Porcelain Dolls

Germany isn’t the only place to purchase high quality porcelain dolls. There are other manufacturers throughout the world including other countries in Europe and throughout North America and Asia. A good collector can often tell the differences between manufacturers. If your collection is for personal instead of profitable reasons, you probably don’t need to worry about the quality and market value.

Purchasing Porcelain Dolls

Keep in mind that if you collect porcelain dolls, you will want to do research on both the manufacturer and the doll to make sure you are buying the highest quality possible. You wouldn’t want your doll to have obvious flaws. If you are more concerned with collecting to make money, make sure you research to see which types of dolls are most valuable.