The 182 is on a fully jointed Kestner composition body and it wears it's original factory chemise, and all of the heads have their original mohair wigs and are contained in their separate compartments of the original display box.  The outside of the box is covered with textured  red paper and has the Kestner factory label on one end.  The box was wear and part of the lid is missing on one side.                                     From the Sherryl Shirran Collection.

These two Simon Halbig/ Handwerck bisque head dolls are on the move with the boy pulling the girl in a wooden cart with bench and metal spoke wheels.  Both dolls have bisque lower arms, composition bodies, glass eyes and open mouths, with mohair wigs (the one on the girl looks replaced).  When you wind the key on the left side of the boy, his legs begin to trot quickly, pulling the cart behind him.  Unfortunately, the axle is a bit bent, causing the wheels to rub against the cart, hampering the boy's efforts. 

As the boy tries to make the cart move forward, it activates an up and down movement of the girl's baton and whip in her right hand. The boy's silk outfit looks antique and original, having some melting, especially on the sleeves.  The girl's dress and bonnet are a replacements, made with old fabrics and trims.  The leather shoes and woven socks on each doll are antique and original, and to wind it comes an antique key that is not original.

Never having been undressed since his time of production, this 19" Kestner Asian 243 mold wears his elaborate, original Chinese costume that is still sewn securely to his body.  His awesome, Asian toned bisque head has brown glass sleep eyes, open mouth with teeth, peachy cheek coloring and Asian molded features that are artistically painted accordingly.  His black, straight mohair wig with long braided queue is also original.  His cloth footwear is even molded and securely attached to the feet of his five-piece, Asian toned, composition baby body.  The detail of trims and overall workmanship of his entire silk costume is outstanding.  The head dress alone is a work of art.  A museum piece.        

From the Sherryl Shirran Collection.

The molding on early Simon Halbig dolls never disappoints, such as with this tall (26") 949 boy with brilliant blue glass eyes, peachy bisque and a closed mouth. The extra molding of features makes one want to keep staring in order to appreciate the depth of the expression. His features are decorated with disciplined skill and with his short blond mohair wig, he is truly a beautiful and handsome fellow.

His fully jointed composition body has the mark of the Simon Halbig/ Heinrick Handwerck collaboration in red ink. The costume he wears is an antique suit of navy velvet with a wooly, plaid vest underneath. His socks are antique, he wears white leather, button up boots, and on his head a antique straw hat with a ribbon around the crown. So well dressed and looking smart!

Although the “Hilda” mold is not especially rare, it never fails to cause deep appreciation for the incredible and heartwarming molding of this popular character baby. There were two wigged versions and this one, (14") mold number 1070, is the closed dome, molded hair version, that can also accommodate a wig if desired. The outlined, sleep eyes are brown glass with fine, fine painted lashes and multi-stroke brows. The bisque is pale and flawless, with just a line of baked in paint at the mold line of the head. This is something that happens in manufacture and is not a flaw. The mouth is in an open smile of anticipation with two molded teeth behind the top lip.

Adorable dressed as a girl too, the Kammer and Reinhardt 115A is one of the most popular character molds that the company offered, this one having brown glass sleep eyes, light, peachy bisque, an antique, medium brown mohair wig, closed mouth with molded space in between lips, and having a fully jointed K*R composition and wood, slant hip  toddler body with slant hips.

The brown bisque of this lovely Simon Halbig 1358 character girl is a warm, calming mocha.  In addition, she has rich, brown glass sleep eyes, and open mouth with exotic, full molded lips and four upper teeth. This wonderful character was made in a varying darker skin tones, each one giving this beloved child a different presence.  Her wispy wig is black, curly mohair and is original.

In its original holy robes of many layers is this painted eye, Simon Halbig bisque shoulderhead doll with short molded blond hair, painted eyes, cloth body, bisque lower arms and legs. The cloth portion of the right upper arm has had an applied mend to the cloth to avoid loss of sawdust filling.

Please make way for this phenomenal, 15” Kestner 221 googly who makes a statement without even opening its mouth! What a character with her brown glass, side-glancing sleep eyes, jolly watermelon mouth, and her cherubic, moon-shaped head with fine painting of features. She retains most of her original plaster pate under her original mohair wig of short, blond curls.