China Dolls

China was the most popular material for dolls heads in the 19th century. The heads were made with molded features which were highlighted with paint. Hair was also painted on, but occasionally, real hair was attached to the ceramic head. China dolls, which appeared around the 1840 s, were first manufactured in Germany, then in France. American manufacturers imported china heads from Europe. The earliest doll in the Lee-Fendall House collection is a good example of the typical Victorian china doll. Made between 1840 and 1860, the doll features a delicately painted glazed china head sewn onto a stuffed kid body. Kid, or goat s leather, was sometimes used as a substitute for woven cloth. The doll wears a dress of printed cotton which echos popular fashions of the day.

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