How can you tell an antique bisque doll? There should be two large holes near the shoulders. If the doll’s skin has small pores collecting dust and dirt, it’s likely bisque not porcelain. Usually the more dirt there is, the older the doll. Lines looking like cracks on the porcelain or bisque, often across the doll’s face, are a sign of old age.
What are old dolls made of? Antique dolls were usually made of wax, papier mâché, wood, china, bisque, or cloth. This is typically how they’re usually classified. Bisque is perhaps the best-known material. It’s a kind of unglazed porcelain.
How do I know if my porcelain doll is valuable? First, make a general assessment of your doll and determine that it is actually made from porcelain. There should be a clear identification name or number on the head, shoulder, neck, or bottom of your doll’s foot. This number can be used for online comparisons or when consulting an appraiser.
What type of porcelain dolls are worth money? Porcelain dolls that were made 80 to 100 years ago or more can be quite valuable. For example, a doll made in 1916 by the French sculptor Albert Marque—one of 100 limited edition dolls dressed by the Parisian couturier Jeanne Margaine-LaCroix—was sold in 2014 by auction house Theriault’s for $300,000.
How can you tell an antique bisque doll? – Related Questions
What were dolls made of in the 1950s?
Hard plastic and vinyl dolls often had eyes that could open and close, as well as joints on the hips, shoulders, and wrists. In the ’50s, the mohair wigs (made from Angora goat hair) of hard-plastic dolls were replaced with synthetic materials like saran, Dynel, and nylon.
What were dolls made of in the 1940s?
Celluloid dolls were child playthings created from cheap synthetic plastic from the mid 1800s until the 1940s. They were produced as an unbreakable alternative to the extremely fragile China, wax, and bisque dolls.
What defines a bisque?
1a : a thick cream soup made with shellfish or game. b : a cream soup of pureed vegetables. 2 : ice cream containing powdered nuts or macaroons. bisque. noun (2)
What is the difference between bisque and porcelain?
What Are Bisque and Porcelain? As mentioned, bisque is unglazed porcelain. Porcelain is created from a paste of clays and water which is molded and then fired at temperatures above 2300 F. After firing, the molded doll head is fired several times more after applications of paints to create the doll’s features.
How do I know if my doll is worth money?

What were dolls made of in 1930’s?
What Is Celluloid? Celluloid is one of the first synthetic plastics ever created. It is a plastic created from wood products that include cellulose nitrate and camphor. First created in 1863, it was a popular material to make items as diverse as jewelry and dolls from the 1870s through the 1930s.
How do you wash bisque dolls?
Dip the cotton tip into the warm water, roll on the dry towel if the cotton tip is dripping. Then use the dampened tip to gently clean the eyes, nose, ears. Using a swirling action with the cotton tip to clean the more intricate parts of the doll head works well. Just remember not to rub.
How old does a doll have to be to be antique?
Antique, Vintage or Modern Collectible. Experts typically divide collectible dolls into three groups. Antique dolls are 100 years old or more. Notable dolls from the 50s are considered vintage. Finally, specific brands from the 60s and 70s are viewed as modern collectibles.
How do I identify my doll?
Doll manufacturer marks are typically found on the back of the head or neck. Maker’s marks can also be placed between the shoulder blades, on the bottom of the feet, or on the doll’s clothing tags. If the doll has a wig, the mark might be under it.
How can you tell if a doll is bisque or porcelain?
Check that the doll is made from porcelain or bisque and 1 other material. Hold the head of the doll to your teeth. If it feels hard and cold, this means that it’s made of porcelain or bisque. The body of the doll is usually made from a different material, such as kid (soft leather) or cloth.
How much is a bisque doll worth?
French 1860-1890 fashion dolls are commonly worth over US$2000, and dolls from well-known doll makers like Jumeau, Bru, and Huret can be worth over US$20,000. Among the French Bébés early dolls from Jumeau and Bru generally go for several thousand dollars, while later S.F.B.J dolls may be worth only a few hundred.