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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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MIXED VINTAGE DOLL LOT.
Apr 30, 9:00 AM CDT
MIXED VINTAGE DOLL LOT.
by Jackson's International
Est: $25- $50
$402 Bids
FRENCH JUMEAU HEAD DOLL.
Apr 30, 9:00 AM CDT
FRENCH JUMEAU HEAD DOLL.
by Jackson's International
Est: $100- $200
$602 Bids
17 INCH KAMMER & REINHART CHARACTER TODDLER #116.
Apr 30, 9:00 AM CDT
17 INCH KAMMER & REINHART CHARACTER TODDLER #116.
by Jackson's International
Est: $150- $250
$701 Bid
FRENCH TETE JUMEAU BISQUE HEAD DOLL
May 06, 6:00 PM PDT
FRENCH TETE JUMEAU BISQUE HEAD DOLL
by O'Gallerie
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$5001 Bid
EARLY 20TH CENTURY BISQUE HEAD DOLL INCISED "D. E. P. 10"
Jun 04, 9:00 AM EDT
EARLY 20TH CENTURY BISQUE HEAD DOLL INCISED "D. E. P. 10"
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $400- $800
$2000 Bids
EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE GERMAN CHARACTER BABY
Jun 04, 9:00 AM EDT
EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE GERMAN CHARACTER BABY
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$1000 Bids
Antique Tee-Wee Hand Babe Doll In Box With Grace Putnum By-Lo Bisque Head
May 18, 10:00 AM CDT
Antique Tee-Wee Hand Babe Doll In Box With Grace Putnum By-Lo Bisque Head
by Kraft Auction Service
Est: $0- $0
$250 Bids
LOT OF 2: SANTA ROLY POLY AND BISQUE DOLL HEAD CANDY CONTAINER
Jun 04, 9:00 AM EDT
LOT OF 2: SANTA ROLY POLY AND BISQUE DOLL HEAD CANDY CONTAINER
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $400- $800
$2000 Bids
LARGE (19-1/2", 49 CM) K&R101 PETER
Jun 04, 9:00 AM EDT
LARGE (19-1/2", 49 CM) K&R101 PETER
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $1,200- $1,800
$6000 Bids
SMALL GERMAN BISQUE HEAD DOLL W/ CLOSED MOUTH, INCISED "5"
Jun 04, 9:00 AM EDT
SMALL GERMAN BISQUE HEAD DOLL W/ CLOSED MOUTH, INCISED "5"
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $400- $800
$2000 Bids
FRENCH BISQUE HEAD BEBE DOLL
May 06, 6:00 PM PDT
FRENCH BISQUE HEAD BEBE DOLL
by O'Gallerie
Est: $400- $600
$2000 Bids
RARE LARGE (35 - 1/2", 95 CM) "PARIS BEBE" BY JUMEAU
Jun 04, 9:00 AM EDT
RARE LARGE (35 - 1/2", 95 CM) "PARIS BEBE" BY JUMEAU
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $5,000- $9,000
$2,6000 Bids
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Adolf Wizlizeus My Sweetheart Bisque Doll
May 28, 10:00 AM EDT
Adolf Wizlizeus My Sweetheart Bisque Doll
by Gray's Auctioneers
Est: $100- $200
$500 Bids
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French Bisque Porcelain Doll
May 28, 10:00 AM EDT
French Bisque Porcelain Doll
by Gray's Auctioneers
Est: $400- $600
$2000 Bids
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ANTIQUE A & M BISQUE DOLL AND STUFFED DOGS
May 02, 12:00 PM EDT
ANTIQUE A & M BISQUE DOLL AND STUFFED DOGS
by Dennis Auction Service
Est: $50- $100
$250 Bids
Bisque Head Queen Louise Jointed Doll
May 03, 6:00 PM EDT
Bisque Head Queen Louise Jointed Doll
by Gary R. Wallace Auctioneers Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
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Kiddie Joy Bisque Head Baby Doll
May 20, 10:00 AM EDT
Kiddie Joy Bisque Head Baby Doll
by Barry S. Slosberg Inc
Est: $100- $150
$100 Bids
23 INCH 1907 JUMEA BISQUE HEAD DOLL.
Apr 30, 9:00 AM CDT
23 INCH 1907 JUMEA BISQUE HEAD DOLL.
by Jackson's International
Est: $150- $250
$500 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Bisque Dolls


Morphy Auctions

Morphy Auctions

Jackson's International

Jackson's International

O'Gallerie

O'Gallerie

Gray's Auctioneers

Gray's Auctioneers