French China Doll

[janet2522]

Hello,

This china doll was donated to our church as part of a fundraiser.  Please let me know how much it is worth, and if anyone is interested in buying it.  It has china hands, feet, and head.

Thank you. 

[KC]

Janet2522 look at the base of the neck front and back for any markings as to who made the doll.  Please post pictures of any markings.  Thanks!

[mart]

And  always need sizes on everything !!

[janet2522]

No markings. Doll's height is 15.5 inches

[Rauville]

Try searching for Parian Molded Hair Doll. To me, it appears to be newer...but hard to judge from one photo.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parian_doll

[janet2522]

Thank you. You all are so smart. What would be a reasonable selling price?

[mart]

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=parian+doll&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

Here are the sold recently listings !!  Some can get quite pricey !!  If you are going to sell at auction I would start at $150. and see if anyone bites !!  Just be sure to put a good description and pics !!  The color hair is supposed to be a selling point !!  They called it a cafe au Lait color !!

[KC]

FEW MORE QUESTIONS PLEASE:

1)  Is the doll porcelain or celluloid (plastic)?

2)  Is the top a piece of porcelain that is sewn to a cloth body?

3)  If yes to 2, then does it have porclain hands/feet?

4)  Have you removed the clothing to try and find any markings?

The reasons for all of these questions is that it can make a big difference in value $$!

[janet2522]

My reply is attached in a PDF file with pictures

[KC]

Quote from Janet2522 on Attachment:

No markings that are seen; back opening of dress sewn close.
Porcelain hands, feet and head (just noticed one thumb missing)
Not sure how to answer about porcelain sewn to body because one cannot sew porcelain to cloth but they is sewn in. Hopefully the picture will be downloaded.

Janet2522 you made me laugh.  Yes, the porcelain is "sewn" to the cloth torso by "stringing" the pieces together (not in the typical fashion of sewing cloth to cloth!) to either 1) metal attachments on the porcelain pieces and/or 2) holes that were fashioned into the porcelain when the porcelain was formed.

Also, the hairstyle on your doll sounds like an Apollo Knot.

Low cost (cheap) repros are many times glued together instead of sewn/stringed!

(I must add that there are Parian dolls that have porcelain heads and wooden bodies - those are sought after!  $$$!!)

I do think yours is a newer one (meaning not antique - 100 years) but not within the past 30 years.  I would say to price anywhere from $80 to $100 and see what you get.  (Hard to tell on this one without a "hands-on" inspection.)