Older plaster doll

[debodun]

This doll was in my aunt's estate. The head, arms and legs are made of what appears to be plaster and it has a cloth body. It's 25" long when laid out flat. The eyes open and close depending on the doll's position. Unfortunately, the plaster parts are not in very good condition. It was sitting on a small rocking chair and wearing a fairly modern looking dress. Someone asked me if I wanted to sell it and I said it was $25 and they said that was too much in that condition (even with the rocker included!). Any idea as to the age, manufacturer and value of the doll and rocker?

[bigwull]

I would be very surprised if the doll was made of plaster..it is more likely to be made of Bisque..which is unglazed porcelain with a matt finish....and the fact that it is a sleeping doll, i.e. when laid flat on its back the eyes are closed..makes it better...i would say that the clothes are wrong for the period that this was made in....as for it not being worth a measly $25..with the chair...well there loss your gain i would say,...that little rocker..is nice although it has seen better days..its still a wee cracker...

[ghopper1924]

Don't know about the doll. The rocker is heavily influenced by the kind of cottage/folk traditions that were prominent around the turn of the 20th century, 1890-1910.

[KC]

Good they didn't want to fork over $25.  Just the chair is worth that!

Agree that the doll is most likely bisque.  See if this helps.
http://collectdolls.about.com/od/dollprofiles/p/bisquedolls.htm

Can you take a bottom pic of the rocker?

[debodun]

Thant was an informative link, KC. Thanks!

[KC]

I believe I was modifying my remarks after you posted....so just to make sure you see...

Can you please post a pic of the bottom of the rocking chair?

[frogpatch]

From where I am sitting the doll looks like a mid 20th century composition creation. I say that from the molded hair and the way it is cracking and peeling. If that is the case the clothes would fit the era.

[debodun]

Here's a photo of the bottom:

[Rauville]

FrogPatch is right...it's a composition doll. Probably from the 30's. Some of them had a voice box inside that said "Ma-Ma" when you picked them up.

[mart]

Rocker is worth a lot more than the doll !!

[KC]

Yes...rocker is worth more.

Do agree on the composition.  I am now where I get good internet and can enlarge the pic of the doll face that is damaged.  Bisque wouldn't look like this (having the heavy lacquer overcoat).

http://www.dollreference.com/composition_dolls.html