Antique China and Parian Dolls
Decoration   Decoration
 

Dolls 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.

 
Decoration   Decoration

Highbrow (flat top) style

1860-1880
Germany
China shoulderhead, cloth body, black hair
CMC D-1561a

 

D-1561a - Photo: S. Darby
L2455.124 - Photo: Conservation 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

 

L2455.066 - Photo: Conservation
L2552.008 - Photo: Conservation Frozen Charlie

ca. 1840
Conta & Böhme, Germany
China Baderkinder (bathing doll)
Courtesy of Mary Alice Thacker
L2552.008

 




 
What is a Doll? | Inuit Dolls from Prehistory to Today | First Nations Dolls
Settlers' Dolls - Dolls Made at Home | Antique China and Parian Dolls
Antique Dolls Imported from Europe | Eaton's Beauty Dolls
The Birth of the Canadian Doll Industry | The Heyday of the Composition Doll
The Vinyl Doll Era | Canadian Original Doll Artists | Mechanical Dolls | Web Sites | Credits