dancing girlPorcelain Dolls from Petticoat Lane
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KESTNER
The King of Dollmakers
A larger picture is behind the small image.


In the early 1880's France introduced the bisque headed doll on a jointed composition body and the German doll industry, with the J.D. Kestner Co. in the lead, was established. The Kestner company was the among the few to make both the head and body and thus produced the complete doll. They also clothed their dolls. Kestner's dolls were very popular in the U.S. and Canada until the first world war.

small pansy HILDA, c. 1914, is probably the most highly recognized of the Kestner dolls, if not all German dolls. She was most often found on a bent-leg baby body but she can be found on a straight-leg toddler body as well. She was made in a bald, dome-headed version or wigged and has two upper teeth and sleep eyes. She can be found in various sizes ranging from about 10 inches to 22 inches, seated. She was also made in, what is now, a now very rare black version.

small pansy Large Hilda on a 5 piece baby...

Small (18") Hilda on a 5 piece baby or toddler body, German glass eyes, synthetic or mohair wig, period clothing...
small pansy Please email me for updated prices. Visa 		Hilda
Big Hilda 1		 Hilda
Big Hilda 2		 Hilda
Small Hilda
small pansy JDK 241, c. 1914, looks like an older version of Hilda. She ranges from 18 to 23 inches, has four teeth.

small pansy 22" on a composition body, German glass eyes, synthetic or mohair wig, period clothing.
small pansy Please email me for updated prices. Visa 		JDK241
JDK241		 JDK241
JDK241		 JDK241
JDK241
small pansy KEWPIE by Rose O'Neill, first appeared in magazine illustrations in 1909. Kestner began producing the all-porcelain doll in 1912. She has large side-glancing eyes, a top-knot and stands 12 inches tall.

small pansy small pansy Please email me for updated prices. Visa 		Kewpie doll
Kewpie 		Kewpie doll
Kewpie 		Kewpie doll
Kewpie
Googly small pansy GOOGLY began appearing c. 1911. The round face and round eyes are adorable. Googly varies between 12 to 18 inches tall.

small pansy 18" 5-piece toddler body... small pansy Please email me for updated prices. Visa

small pansy The Kestner 243 is a sweetORIENTAL baby on a five piece bent-leg baby body.

small pansy 15" all-bisque... small pansy Please email me for updated prices. Visa 		Oriental baby
Oriental Baby
Bye-Lo Baby small pansy The BYE-LO BABY was known as the million dollar baby because it was such a huge success that people stood in line to buy it. Reportedly modeled after a new-born baby by Grace Storey Putnam, it first appeared on the market in 1924.



small pansy 20" on a cloth body, glass eyes, painted hair... small pansy Please email me fur updated prices. Visa

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Last updated: April 12, 2000