Porcelain Dolls from
Petticoat LanePorcelain Dolls from
Petticoat Lane
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...From the late 1800's up to WW1, many porcelain dolls came from Germany. German dolls were produced as toys and were often sold either undressed or dressed in a simple shift so that little mothers could practice their sewing skills.
Before the turn of the century, dolls, though dressed as infants, were distinctly adult in their features. In the early 1900's, dollmakers began producing "character" dolls, dolls with more childlike facial features putting them on baby or toddler bodies.
The typical German jointed composition body consists of 15 pieces while a toddler or baby body is usually five pieces. The torso and arms of the toddler bodies are usually the same, with the legs being different. The toddler legs are chubby standing ones and the baby legs are chubby and bent for sitting.
Just follow the links to see some of my reproductions of a few of the better known German doll manufacturers. I will be adding more as time goes on.
Simon
& Halbig/Kammer & Reinhardt (K*R) Kestner Heubach
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