DESCRIPTION:

I SELL ONLY WITHIN THE U.S.  NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING OFFERED.

I'm offering today an adorable antique tin/metal headed doll from Germany.  Based upon my research, these dolls were made between 1894 and 1925.  She has a metal head which is painted with flesh color paint and set blue glass eyes.  She is wearing a lovely and expensive blonde mohair wig to accentuate those gorgeous eyes.  The back of the shoulder plate is difficult to read, but I think it says "Germany" in raised letters.  It does not give me a mold number or anything else to pinpoint who produced her.  She's absolutely adorable and in good condition.  The metal head is attached to a muslin body which does not move.  The arms and hands are composition and remain in good condition.  Her legs and feet are composition as well and are in good condition. Her muslin body is tightly stuffed with what feels like, perhaps saw dust or sand.  The research I did just told me they were either made of kid leather or cotton or muslin.  Therefore, I'm just not sure what is inside of her.  It is tightly packed. 

I will start at the top of her head and work my way down so as not to omit anything in my description.  Starting at the top of her head, she has a replaced mohair wig, which I had in my collection.  It has lots of curls and frames the tin head beautifully.  There are ringlets which hang down around the sides of her face and the front of her forehead.  I added a blue satin bow to the back of her curly hair and put a small pony tail of ringlets flowing down the back side.  As I mentioned above, the paint on this doll is in very nice condition. She is wearing a blue satin ladies fashion dress, which I created out of vintage satin I've owned for over 30 plus years.  It was washed and ironed prior to my creating a pattern for her.  It is not perfect, but  neither am I.  I think it looks beautiful on her and reminiscent of the era the doll was produced and given to little girls to love and cherish.  She has bright, blue stationary glass eyes.  Her eyes have meticulously hand painted upper and lower lashes.  These lashes had to be painted with a single strand of brush hair because of the minute thiness of the strokes....just amazing.  She has a dainty little nose with open nostrils for realism which flows down to her tiny rose bud shape lips which have tiny teeth and red felt for a tongue.  Her lips are painted a bright peach color, which stand out against those big blue eyes.  Her cheeks have beautiful pink coloring.  The doll has no odors and I try very hard to keep a clean, tidy home.

This antique doll came to me naked, so I designed and created this dress.  I wanted to make something reminiscent of what she would have worn when she was first produced.  I looked at several pictures and this is what I came up with.  I took some vintage baby blue satin fabric and made a bodice that fit the top of the doll very tightly.  The neckline comes up high around the dolls neck and I added a cream colored lace panel to the front center of the bodice.  I put faux pearls going down the center of the cream colored panel for added elegance.  As you go around to the back side of the dress, there are snaps which hold the dress in place.  I did have to add some stitches to the back of the waistline, so it would contour to her body shape.  This was the first time I've ever made a dress like this one, so it's not one of my best creations.  Of course, I'm always very hard on myself because I expect perfection, but it just never seems to happen.  As you come back around to front of the dress, she has long fluffy sleeves which are trimmed with sheer cream color lace which contours down to the top of her wrist.  Now to the skirt on this dress....oh my goodness.  Many, many hours of hand pleating and sewing tiny pearls down the front of each pleat.  After I was happy with the pleating process, I then added the cream colored lace for added contrast.  I then hand pleated a ruffle on the bottom front of the dress with tiny cream colored satin bows.  Under her dress, she is wearing a crinoline with several layers of thick tulle netting for added fullness.  Under her crinoline, she is wearing white cotton pantaloons with lace trimming each leg.  She is wearing white socks with black lace up shoes.  She will come with her stand for displaying.  I think she looks so elegant and regal and is ready for everyone to enjoy.

My dolls are not played with by children who come and visit; I know that sounds mean, but sometimes they play too rough.  My dolls are kept in a doll room specifically for them and are displayed for everyone to enjoy.  All my dolls are truly loved and cared for as though they were my children.  Their clothes are either original to the doll, made by me, or I've tried finding doll clothing from the same era as the doll or find clothing which match the personality of the doll.  We do not smoke and I try very hard to keep a tidy clean home free of dust and odor.  My dolls are clean and most of the time look as though they did when they were sold new.   Depending on how old they are, I do try to be honest in detailing if some of the dolls have bruises, missing toes or fingers or other issues, but that doesn't mean they aren't worth having; for each one is like children.....they are all beautiful in their mothers eyes.  If I've missed something it would never be intentional.  

SIZE:

This is a nice size antique tin/metal headed doll measuring approximately 14".

CONDITION:

It is my opinion after many years of collecting dolls, she's in good condition. Her body shows very little age. There are no rips or tears to the muslin fabric on the body.  Her composition has minimal paint loss.  There is very little paint loss to the metal on the shoulder plate and face area.  Her blue glass eyes are free of chips, cracks or breaks.  Her dress is a one of a kind and created by me.  There will not be another one.  Her pantaloons were created by me as well.  Her black shoes are vintage, but in good condition.  Her wig has been replaced with an expensive mohair wig.  It remains free of odors.    Please view complete set of photos for thorough description.  I hope you can take a few minutes to look at my other dolls.  God bless you.  Connie