HALF DOLL OVERVIEW
Introduction | Overview | Bohne | Chocolatiere Dolls | Dressel & Kister | Goebel | Hertwig | Heubach
Historical | Japanese | Schneider | Dresser Dolls | Works Cited
Historical | Japanese | Schneider | Dresser Dolls | Works Cited
Half dolls were meant to be enjoyed by grown up girls. The majority of these dolls were sculpted from the waist up. "However, not all of these dolls are “half a doll”. One can find full-figural ladies and little animals molded to a “half doll” base. Male half dolls are generally underrepresented." (Half Dolls)
What differentiates them from china figurines is their usefulness. For the most part, they had a function. Many were attached to fabric bases to be used as pincushions. That is why the sew-holes were most frequently placed around the base of the dolls. Some were attached to whisk brooms for sweeping crumbs from a table. Others were used atop tea cozies. Half dolls also have many names, such as novelty dolls, flapper dolls, boudoir dolls, dresser dolls, pincushion dolls, powder puff dolls, dresser boxes and more. They became very popular in the 1920s and went out of fashion in the mid to late 1930s. They were displayed prominently in a woman's bedroom or "boudoir" to use the more risqué French term. In the boudoir, they were used on dressing tables as pin boxes, powder boxes, and attached to puffs for powder boxes or powder patters. They were also often attached to lamps or lampshades on bedside tables.
The value of half dolls is sometimes determined by the manufacturer - but most often according to the intricacy of their molded costumes and definitely on the position of their arms. The most valuable ones have arms that extend completely away from the body. The closer the arms come to the body, the lower the price in general. The least valuable examples have arms and hands completely connected to the body. Value also goes up if the doll has an elaborate hairdo or clothing. Dolls holding accessories are also more desirable.
Most half dolls are between 2-6 inches tall, though some are smaller and others are taller. They are generally made of porcelain. A small number are made of composition, wax or other materials.
A vast number depict the fashions of the era - but there are also many wonderful examples molded to depict historical figures in elaborate period dress. (Prissant, Van Patten)s
What differentiates them from china figurines is their usefulness. For the most part, they had a function. Many were attached to fabric bases to be used as pincushions. That is why the sew-holes were most frequently placed around the base of the dolls. Some were attached to whisk brooms for sweeping crumbs from a table. Others were used atop tea cozies. Half dolls also have many names, such as novelty dolls, flapper dolls, boudoir dolls, dresser dolls, pincushion dolls, powder puff dolls, dresser boxes and more. They became very popular in the 1920s and went out of fashion in the mid to late 1930s. They were displayed prominently in a woman's bedroom or "boudoir" to use the more risqué French term. In the boudoir, they were used on dressing tables as pin boxes, powder boxes, and attached to puffs for powder boxes or powder patters. They were also often attached to lamps or lampshades on bedside tables.
The value of half dolls is sometimes determined by the manufacturer - but most often according to the intricacy of their molded costumes and definitely on the position of their arms. The most valuable ones have arms that extend completely away from the body. The closer the arms come to the body, the lower the price in general. The least valuable examples have arms and hands completely connected to the body. Value also goes up if the doll has an elaborate hairdo or clothing. Dolls holding accessories are also more desirable.
Most half dolls are between 2-6 inches tall, though some are smaller and others are taller. They are generally made of porcelain. A small number are made of composition, wax or other materials.
A vast number depict the fashions of the era - but there are also many wonderful examples molded to depict historical figures in elaborate period dress. (Prissant, Van Patten)s
Introduction | Overview | Bohne | Chocolatiere Dolls | Dressel & Kister | Goebel | Hertwig | Heubach
Historical | Japanese | Schneider | Dresser Dolls | Works Cited
Historical | Japanese | Schneider | Dresser Dolls | Works Cited