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Doll Appraisal: Common terms used to describe antique dolls and general guidelines on appraising and shipping antique dolls with bisque heads

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Dolls with glass eyes:

The descriptive terms "fixed eyes" and “stationery eyes” describe factory set eyes. Europeans generally use the term “fixed” to describe glass eyes that are set in place and do not move, while American collectors commonly refer to such eyes as “stationery.”

“Sleep eyes” or “open and close eyes” are set on a rocker that has a weight and open and close when the doll is rocked to and forth. If the eyes have been plastered in place, the doll is described as: "originally had sleeping eyes, which have been replastered (or reset) and no longer sleep." If the doll's eyes have been replastered and no longer sleep, collectors can restore the eyes if the weight is intact, and that's a plus.

Bisque heads and wigs:

The value of a bisque dolls is determined by the quality of the bisque head. The doll's value is cut in half if there is a crack in the bisque. Shine a light through the bisque from the inside to determine the integrity of the head and whether or not there is any hairline, crack or chip.

The doll isn't fully examined until the bisque is examined from the inside. To examine a dome head baby doll, loosen the wire or cord around the neck flange and remove the head. Shine a light inside. To examine the bisque of a socket head doll, remove the wig and the pate to shine a light from the inside.

Wigs are made from mohair, hair, fur and more currently, synthetic materials, adhered to a pate with water soluable glue. To remove the wig, dab wet cotton swabs at the base of the wig to soften the glue, gradually soaking the glue, pealing the wig back from the base of the neck, dabbing a little water, step-by-step, careful not to drench the wig (mohair wigs are particularly fragile). Don't get impatient and gauge or scrape or do anything that might damage the bisque.

While examining the head, check the glass eyes for any chips or hairlines. Note also the condition of the eye wax and the lashes if any. Examine the mouth, teeth, and lips, and look for any signs of deterioration or restoration.

The condition of the body contributes to the value of the doll as well. Is it original to the doll? Is it in good condition? Does the body have its original patina or has it been repainted or restored by another collector? All of these factors contribute to it's overall value.

Although the condition of the body is not as crucial as the condition of the bisque head, still a doll with its original body or the correct body type will have greater value than a doll that has been re-assembled over time from mis-matched parts. It's not always possible to determine finite specifics of a doll unless the owner knows the history of the doll or has expert knowledge.

Whether wood, composition or soft-bodied, each doll is uniquely different and each has a different feel and quality. The condition and style of the doll's clothing can add or subtract from the value of the doll as well. It's uncommon to find a doll dressed in original clothing, but a doll dressed in appropriate clothing has greater value than one without a trouseau or one with ill-fitting clothes.

Doll markings and historical value:

A doll is identified by the mold markings under the wig on the back of its head. Also look for markings on the body, arms, and legs, as well as on the bottom of the foot. Regrettably, there is always the doll that has no markings and leaves you guessing as to its origin. Look up mold numbers in a price guide book to find out a doll's value and a little bit of history about the doll. This is the fun part. Some dolls are more collectible and more valuable, depending on the market and the manufacturer. One of th many resource books on the market for investigating doll values and history is the 4th Edition of 200 Years of Dolls by Dawn Herlocher, which includes a CD with doll maker marks.

Personal notes--

We sell antique dolls in their original state. We do not clean clothing or wigs before selling a doll. Since the care and display of a doll is an individual preference, we leave the aesthetics of the doll to the new buyer.

If we cannot determine the doll maker or doll type or if the doll has unique attributes or damage that we think might appreciably add to or subtract from its market value based on its book price, we seek a professional appraisal.

To ship a bisque doll safely and to protect the bisque and delicate eye mechanism, we remove the wig and add soft packing material to the inside of the head. When the buyer receives the doll, the packing material must be delicately removed and the wig re-glued with a water-soluable glue. For a dome head, the head will need to be repositioned onto the body and clinched into place at the neck flange.

Antique dolls are works of art, and collecting can be an aesthetic and valuable hobby. As with other art forms, antique dolls grow in value when properly maintained.