Porcelain dolls are often thought of as relics of a time gone by, since porcelain and bisque are closely associated with antique dolls. However, there are many manufacturers today who make porcelain dolls for collectors and also to decorate and enhance homes. Buying modern porcelain dolls can be very different than buying collectible vinyl dolls, and it also has very little in common with buying antique porcelain. Here's what you need to know to pick out the right modern porcelain doll for you.
Marie Osmond Porcelain Dolls
Marie Osmond has made some of the most collectible and popular modern porcelain dolls in during the 15 years that her company has been in business. Her porcelain dolls range from small (five inch tall) Bitty Bug Ball dolls to large sitting and standing toddler dolls. One of her most popular series has been her Tiny Tot series, which are tiny dolls, six to eight inches, often sitting, with porcelain heads and limbs and soft torsos. Marie Osmond porcelain dolls range in price from $20 to $500.
Paradise Galleries Porcelain Dolls
Most of the dolls made in porcelain today are made in China, and the dolls from Paradise Galleries are no exception. Paradise Galleries is known for bringing reasonably priced porcelain dolls made in China to consumers through their catalogs and direct mail marketing. As with many of their competitors, they have recently expanded into vinyl and silicone dolls, so be sure to check the doll's material when buying from them. Their dolls range in price, generally, from $12 to $100.
Showstopper Porcelain Dolls
This company is somewhat similar to Paradise Galleries, except that Showstoppers tends to sell its dolls through doll and gift stores instead of on the Internet and in Direct Marketing. Many of the dolls produced by Showstoppers are designed by Florence Maranuk. The dolls in Showstoppers line range from tiny porcelain baby dolls, little girls and fairies for under $5.00 each to large limited edition dolls over $200.
Porcelain Reproduction Dolls
If you love the look of classic antique porcelain dolls but cannot afford (or don't want to pay) the price, many modern porcelain doll artists make reproductions of antique dolls. Many of the reproduction artists have been trained by the Doll Artisan Guild which provides molds, paints, composition-style bodies and training to the artists. A very good porcelain reproduction can cost several hundred dollars, but an original Jumeau or Bru in excellent condition can often cost ten times more.
Ashton Drake Porcelain Dolls
In recent years, more and more Ashton Drake dolls have been made in vinyl and silicone instead of porcelain. However, Ashton Drake has large porcelain doll series of Bride and Native American dolls that are very popular.
Fayzah Spanos Dolls
Fatzag Spanos is one of many artists that work in porcelain. She is included here to represent artists who often design their dolls either for their own companies which then mass-produce the dolls, or license their creations to others to produce in porcelain. If you like the work of a particular artist, it pays to become familiar with which companies the artists design for.
One of a Kind and Small Limited Edition Porcelain Art Dolls
Many artists who specialize in one of a kind dolls or small editions of dolls also work in porcelain. The work of such artists can be expensive (hundreds or thousands of dollars per doll) and hard to find, but it is worth it if you are looking for a piece made in the United States, or if you want a unique piece of art instead of something mass-produced. I have included links to ODACA and NIADA, organizations which include one of a kind and limited edition doll artists who work in porcelain.
