olls with china heads have
existed since about 1830. Their hairstyles help in dating them, as
they reflect the way women wore their hair when the dolls were made.
The appeal of these dolls lies, to a great extent, in their elegant,
fashionable clothing.
Nineteenth-century dolls generally had cloth, wood or leather bodies.
The early ones were usually adult females, although a few adult-male
dolls are known. Dolls portraying children were produced from about
1880.
In the nineteenth century, young girls played with dolls much longer
than they do today. There were fewer forms of entertainment for
adolescent girls, and making elaborate costumes and accessories was
an acceptable occupation for young ladies in Victorian times.
Highbrow (flat top) style
1860-1880
Germany
China shoulderhead, cloth body, black hair
CMC D-1561a
Parian lady
1860-1870
Germany
Moulded blonde hair
Dress from 1859 Godey Fashion Plate by Lois Nuth, Ottawa, Ontario
Courtesy of E. Strahlendorf, Hamilton, Ontario
L2455.124
Parian head child
1870
Hertel & Schwab, Germany
Moulded blonde hair
Dress of old fabric and lace by Lois Nuth, Ottawa, Ontario
Courtesy of E. Strahlendorf, Hamilton, Ontario
L2455.066
Frozen Charlie
ca. 1840
Conta & Böhme, Germany
China Baderkinder (bathing doll)
Courtesy of Mary Alice Thacker
L2552.008