Lace Dress Doll Appraisal

Antique Bisque Head Doll with Cloth Body and Lace Dress

This is an antique small bisque head doll with a cloth body and pointed cloth legs. The head appears to be made of bisque or porcelain, showing a pale complexion with hand-painted facial features. The hair is molded and painted, possibly styled in waves and adorned with a headdress or bonnet decorated with small pearl-like beads. The doll is dressed in an elaborate costume featuring a champagne-colored bodice with puffed sleeves and ruffled cuffs, likely made of silk or satin. The dress has a high ruffle around the neck and across the chest, crafted from a beige or cream-colored lace. The skirt is made of an off-white fabric, possibly linen or cotton, gathered at the waist and featuring two tiers of the same lace trim as the bodice. Gold string or ribbon is used to cinch the waist and tie bows on the arms above the elbows and around the lower legs. The legs are slender and pointed, made of a beige cloth material, and have the gold string wrapped around them in a criss-cross pattern resembling lacing or elaborate garters. The doll has visible signs of age and wear, including potential discoloration and minor fraying of the fabric and lace. The paint on the face may show some wear or fading consistent with age. The overall construction suggests a hand-assembled piece, typical of earlier doll manufacturing. There are no visible manufacturer's marks or stamps in the provided image. The doll's style, particularly the lace trim and the overall construction of the costume, suggests a potential age from the late 19th or early 20th century. The craftsmanship appears to be moderate, with attention paid to the details of the costume and delicate facial features.