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Bisque Dolls

Bisque dolls are dolls made of unglazed porcelain. The porcelain is made from a mixture of clay and water that is molded into doll parts, then fired. Most of the time, color is added to the bisque to make the doll's skin color appear more realistic. Sometimes, the bisque is left white. Dolls with this white bisque skin tone are sometimes referred to as parian dolls.

Bisque dolls were first created in France in the 1860s. These dolls gained popularity throughout the later 1800s until they were the primary type of doll produced in the early 1900s. Early bisque dolls were made in France, then production moved to Germany in the 1880s and 1890s. The United States took over the lead in production of bisque dolls in the early 1900s. Bisque dolls faded in popularity when less-expensive composition became the primary doll material used. However, bisque dolls enjoyed a renewed popularity in the '80s when collector dolls became popular. Contemporary bisque dolls are almost exclusively manufactured in China.

Dolls are considered to be bisque if the head is made of bisque. Most vintage bisque dolls have bodies and limbs made of other materials, since all-bisque dolls are very heavy. Today, bisque dolls are produced primarily for the collectors' market.


Quick Facts

  • Some of the more well-known makers of antique bisque dolls include Kestner, Kammer & Reinhardt, Armand Marseilles, Jumeau, and Steiner
  • Small all-bisque dolls were produced from the late 1800s until about 1930. These dolls were known as penny dolls
  • Many of the bisque dolls produced by French doll makers were fashion dolls. These dolls were made in the form of adult women and were produced to advertise the fashions of the day

Recommended Items at Auction

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Rare and Beautiful Circle Dot Bru 13 in. (33 cm.)
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Rare and Beautiful Circle Dot Bru 13 in. (33 cm.)
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Est: $0- $0
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16” Bisque Shoulder Head French Fashion Doll with Glass Paperweight Eyes
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Est: $0- $0
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An Antique S.F.B.J Paris Bisque Head Doll
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An Antique German Bisque Head Doll
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Est: AUD50- AUD100
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Unusual "Made in Germany" 143 Bisque Socket Head "Fashion" Lady
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Est: $0- $0
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French Fashion Type Lady 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.)
May 28, 6:00 PM EDT
French Fashion Type Lady 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.)
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Est: $0- $0
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Gebruder Kuhlenz Bisque Socket Head Doll with Glass Sleep Eyes and Open Mouth
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An Antique Heinrich Handwerck 79-10 German Bisque Doll
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Lot of German China and Bisque Head Dolls - Shortest ~4.5” tall
May 28, 6:00 PM EDT
Lot of German China and Bisque Head Dolls - Shortest ~4.5” tall
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Est: $0- $0
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Lot of Small Dolls and Beds
May 28, 6:00 PM EDT
Lot of Small Dolls and Beds
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Est: $0- $0
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French Fashion Lady 11 1/2 in. (29.2 cm.)
May 28, 6:00 PM EDT
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Est: $0- $0
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Early Germany Bisque Turned Shoulder Head Girl
May 28, 6:00 PM EDT
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Est: $0- $0
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Pair of German Bisque Head Dolls with Glass Sleepy Eyes - Cattenfelder doll ~10” tall
May 28, 6:00 PM EDT
Pair of German Bisque Head Dolls with Glass Sleepy Eyes - Cattenfelder doll ~10” tall
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Est: $0- $0
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German Bisque Head Doll with Glass Sleepy Eyes
May 28, 6:00 PM EDT
German Bisque Head Doll with Glass Sleepy Eyes
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
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S.F.B.J. 301 Bisque Socket Head Girl
May 28, 6:00 PM EDT
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Est: $0- $0
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French Fashion Lady on Gesland Body 14 in. (35.6 cm.)
May 28, 6:00 PM EDT
French Fashion Lady on Gesland Body 14 in. (35.6 cm.)
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Est: $0- $0
$183 Bids
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French Bisque Francois Gaultier Musical Marotte 15 in. (38.1 cm.)
May 28, 6:00 PM EDT
French Bisque Francois Gaultier Musical Marotte 15 in. (38.1 cm.)
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Est: $0- $0
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SFBJ Child w/ Marked Body 24 1/2 in. (62.2 cm.)
May 28, 6:00 PM EDT
SFBJ Child w/ Marked Body 24 1/2 in. (62.2 cm.)
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Est: $0- $0
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Pair of Small All Bisque Dolls
May 28, 6:00 PM EDT
Pair of Small All Bisque Dolls
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
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German Bisque Socket Head Girl Marked "422"
May 28, 6:00 PM EDT
German Bisque Socket Head Girl Marked "422"
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Est: $0- $0
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18” Gebrüder Kühnlenz Bisque Socket Head Doll
May 28, 6:00 PM EDT
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Est: $0- $0
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Bisque Head Doll with Closed Mouth and Set Glass Eyes - ~13”
May 28, 6:00 PM EDT
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Est: $0- $0
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Sellers Who Sell Bisque Dolls


Apple Tree Auction Center

Apple Tree Auction Center

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Morphy Auctions

Morphy Auctions

Gray's Auctioneers

Gray's Auctioneers