Antique China Head Dolls

In the past three hundred years, doll heads have been made from many different materials including wood, paper Mache’ and ceramic. Often individuals who are just beginning to collect antique dolls do not understand the difference between Parian, China, Bisque, and Stone Bisque. China porcelain that made up China Head dolls was initially glazed a pink or flesh tint. Later it was predominantly un-tinted white but sometimes tinted brown or black as well. The name “china” came from the origin of the porcelain from China to Europe. It has nothing to do with Chinese doll heads. Parian porcelain is unglazed, dull, un-tinted white porcelain. It looks similar to marble from t he Paros Island and that is where it got its name. Bisque porcelain is unglazed, dull tinted porcelain that mimics the flesh tones of the human skin. Stone Bisque is a lesser quality stoneware, unglazed porcelain and is often grey in color. The term stone bisque is hardly used in Germany, but here in the U.S. it is quite common.

China head dolls appeared around 1750, but they did not reach great popularity until the 1840’s. They were produced in factories and by 1884 they were fired in ovens each containing 5,000 dolls with 30 ovens running at once in one factory. By 1884 according to Harper’s Bazar, November, 1884, “One German factory has been running about one and thirty years and has produced about one billion dolls”

In the mid 19th century china heads and limbs were made to go on peg wooden bodies. The heads often had a flat bottom with a hole, which fit over a dowel on top of the wooden body. Later bodies consisted of cloth, goatskin or sheepskin bodies.

China head dolls with glass eyes, swivel neck, painted brown eyes, pierced ears and a baldhead made for a wig were rarer.


Reproductions abound today. Most are labeled as such and are not meant to deceive. However, some individuals will sell a reproduction as an authentic doll because either they want to deceive or they do not know any better. The best way to avoid a reproduction is to purchase a doll only at serious dealers who will stand by their dolls.