Click on photos to enlarge.

Wearing what are his original religious Medieval monk robes, we have a 16″ Beidermeier china man with white china head and shoulder plate,  solid dome head with painted black, center-parted hair, and finely painted features.   His body is of antique stuffed cloth, looks original, and the arms are of leather with separate fingers.  His footwear consists of antique, knitted stockings that act like fabric boots!

Collectors of early wooden dolls often encounter details or variations they’ve never seen before. As handmade creations, these early dolls naturally possess unique characteristics. The craftsmanship of this lady places her in the Germany-Austria region, where Grodnertal dolls originated in the early 1800s. However, the deeply carved black-painted ringlets give her a remarkable level of detail rarely found. Her face is painted in a classical early 19th-century style, while her hairstyle suggests a touch of 1830–1840 influence. Most enchanting are her pierced ears with drop earrings!

His long, white scapular rests front and back, over his black/brown wool tunic, and over that a dark wool long apron with a red, intricately  embroidered Crucifix on the chest.  He wears a long rope or “cinture” around the waist, along with an antique black rosary.

Her one-piece head and shoulder plate are wooden, while her body is stuffed cloth. The lower arms and hands are made of simple, narrow pieces of wood, subtly suggesting fingers. The original painted surface of her face shows slight rubbing on the forehead, minuscule paint crazing, and a tiny lift on the cheekbone. Her clothing is entirely original—rural in style, made of multiple tiny prints and dots—with leather boots (one missing its sole and hanging on for history’s sake).

In the early 1870’s, there was a circle of companies who produced these detailed, sturdy and unique jointed dolls, starting with Joel Ellis, who was known first for his carriages, Henry Mason, and Luke Taylor, to name the ones that are best known.  This example has the distinct details of what is called the Mason Taylor doll, made of carved and finely articulated maple wood, with lower arms and legs, hands and feet of heavy metal such as pewter. Extraordinary on this doll is the condition of her painted surfaces, namely the swivel head, shoulders and lower limbs, as usually the paint has either worn off or has been “played” off by children enjoying the great versatility of this sturdy subject.

She retains her sky blue painted eyes, richly carved curls, painted blond with some surface wear, a clean, smooth complexion, cream painted hands and stockings, with that sky vlue repeating on her metal boots.  The makers promoted the advantage of not having to dress this articulated doll, however that didn’t stop an enthusiastic mother or child to make a full cotton outfit, including a two-piece plaid cotton dress, a complimentary apron and cotton undergarments.  All look to be made during her early era and a so charming on her.  To find one in this condition is exciting!

From the early years of paper mâché doll production, circa 1820–1830, comes this finely detailed man (and his female counterpart described below), most likely by Johann Friedrich Müller, who supplied heads for many doll companies of his era. He features molded, black-painted hair with strands combed forward, glass eyes, closed painted lips, and a pale complexion with a touch of cheek color. His body is cloth, while the legs are gessoed and oil-painted to resemble stockings and slipper-style shoes. The arms are hard paper mâché with detailed fingers and the same pale tone as his face and shoulders. His clothing represents the regional costume of Vierlande, on the northeastern border of Germany near Berlin, and remains entirely original and in excellent condition (the shirt sleeves have darkened with age).

Described below is his female partner, priced separately.

From the early years of paper mâché doll production, circa 1820–1830, comes this finely detailed man (and his female counterpart described below), most likely by Johann Friedrich Müller, who supplied heads for many doll companies of his era. He features molded, black-painted hair with strands combed forward, glass eyes, closed painted lips, and a pale complexion with a touch of cheek color. His body is cloth, while the legs are gessoed and oil-painted to resemble stockings and slipper-style shoes. The arms are hard paper mâché with detailed fingers and the same pale tone as his face and shoulders. His clothing represents the regional costume of Vierlande, on the northeastern border of Germany near Berlin, and remains entirely original and in excellent condition (the shirt sleeves have darkened with age).

Described below is his female partner, priced separately.

Hoping to remain with her mate listed above, this early German paper mâché lady (circa 1820–1830), also attributed to Johann Friedrich Müller, wears a black-painted head covering that suggests hair beneath, featuring a painted widow’s peak and chin ties. Like her companion, she has glass eyes, closed painted lips, and a pale complexion with a hint of blush. Her cloth body has gessoed and oil-painted legs, stockings, and slipper-type shoes. The arms are hard paper mâché with detailed fingers. Her colorful, multilayered costume is the traditional Vierlande attire and is entirely original and in excellent condition (shirt sleeves darkened with age). Atop her head rests her original straw bonnet—fragile but intact—with its original black ribbon.

Hoping to remain with her mate listed above, this early German paper mâché lady (circa 1820–1830), also attributed to Johann Friedrich Müller, wears a black-painted head covering that suggests hair beneath, featuring a painted widow’s peak and chin ties. Like her companion, she has glass eyes, closed painted lips, and a pale complexion with a hint of blush. Her cloth body has gessoed and oil-painted legs, stockings, and slipper-type shoes. The arms are hard paper mâché with detailed fingers. Her colorful, multilayered costume is the traditional Vierlande attire and is entirely original and in excellent condition (shirt sleeves darkened with age). Atop her head rests her original straw bonnet—fragile but intact—with its original black ribbon.

Having first been a part of Austria, then called South Tyrol before World War I, the Grodnertal region near Germany was home to the production of these fascinating wooden dolls. Adding to the warm, inviting charm of these dainty works of art, some were dressed to represent local peddlers of assorted wares, carrying baskets of necessities and delights to be purchased on the street. This particular 12 ½” Grodnertal is an early one, identified by her egg-shaped carved head and the painted hair detail on her forehead. See the extended painted shadows and strokes that represent wisps of hair and curls below. She has painted blue eyes with human detail, prim red upturned lips, and gently rouged cheeks. Her head and torso are one piece, while the limbs are jointed at the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.

Her feet are carved as her orange painted little slippers. Look at the impressive costume she wears, which consists of a bold black-and-white striped skirt, a tiny brown print long-sleeved blouse, a white cotton shawl, and long white lace-trimmed pantaloons—kept warm by her bright red hooded wool cape that can rest over her straw, silk-covered bonnet. Now let’s see what she has to sell in her original straw basket of wares… You can spot knitting yarn, scissors on a presentation card, as well as a knife and fork on their card, socks, needles and a needle container, household tools, a dangling glass bottle, a folding pocket knife, a pair of mittens, and some sewing trim on a card—and it goes on, the more you look!

Her feet are carved as her orange painted little slippers. Look at the impressive costume she wears, which consists of a bold black-and-white striped skirt, a tiny brown print long-sleeved blouse, a white cotton shawl, and long white lace-trimmed pantaloons—kept warm by her bright red hooded wool cape that can rest over her straw, silk-covered bonnet. Now let’s see what she has to sell in her original straw basket of wares… You can spot knitting yarn, scissors on a presentation card, as well as a knife and fork on their card, socks, needles and a needle container, household tools, a dangling glass bottle, a folding pocket knife, a pair of mittens, and some sewing trim on a card—and it goes on, the more you look!

Along with representing a child, this late George III English wooden (20″) has that special something that only the esoteric changes of time and the natural combination of presentation details can provide. Carved by a woodworker at the very end of the eighteenth century, she has the simpler details of features typical of the examples from that time, but her simpatica personality makes her stand out and almost come to life. She has the darkest brown enamel eyes, one-stroke brows, a long pronounced nose, demure smiling painted red lips, a rosy complexion, and rouged cheeks that together give her an endearing energy.

Along with representing a child, this late George III English wooden (20″) has that special something that only the esoteric changes of time and the natural combination of presentation details can provide. Carved by a woodworker at the very end of the eighteenth century, she has the simpler details of features typical of the examples from that time, but her simpatica personality makes her stand out and almost come to life. She has the darkest brown enamel eyes, one-stroke brows, a long pronounced nose, demure smiling painted red lips, a rosy complexion, and rouged cheeks that together give her an endearing energy.

Her brunette human hair curls are secured to the top of her head, and the unrestored surface of her face shows the tracks of play and adoration starting 225 years ago—acceptable and not distracting for a true lover of antique woodens. Her rounded head and simply carved torso are one piece, as are her carved wooden legs, which are only jointed at the hips. Her arms are of original kid leather, both of which have had a patch added at the elbows later on. Her feet are crudely carved, then tinted in a cadmium red paint, with the left one having the front tip chipped off (hidden in the shoe).

Her brunette human hair curls are secured to the top of her head, and the unrestored surface of her face shows the tracks of play and adoration starting 225 years ago—acceptable and not distracting for a true lover of antique woodens. Her rounded head and simply carved torso are one piece, as are her carved wooden legs, which are only jointed at the hips. Her arms are of original kid leather, both of which have had a patch added at the elbows later on. Her feet are crudely carved, then tinted in a cadmium red paint, with the left one having the front tip chipped off (hidden in the shoe).

Now to her original clothing, which consists of a pre-Regency long gown of diaphanous fabric, having the new linear silhouette that drew from the fashions of ancient Greece. She remarkably retains the matching cap in the same fabric, with the same silk ribbon pleated trim as the bodice of the dress—not to mention the adorable silk slippers with a bit of metallic trim. The pillow with the embroidered “B” has been given to her; however, the chair is not for sale and is just a prop.

Now to her original clothing, which consists of a pre-Regency long gown of diaphanous fabric, having the new linear silhouette that drew from the fashions of ancient Greece. She remarkably retains the matching cap in the same fabric, with the same silk ribbon pleated trim as the bodice of the dress—not to mention the adorable silk slippers with a bit of metallic trim. The pillow with the embroidered “B” has been given to her; however, the chair is not for sale and is just a prop.

In humble, original condition and attire, we have an early wooden doll from Grodnertal that is part of the regional history of Germany, Austria, and Northern Italy, circa 1820. She has the early egg-shaped carved head and a yellow painted carved hair ornament, or tuck comb, with her whole body being of carved wood and jointed at the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. Her black hair has swirling brushstrokes that mimic curls at her forehead, and her carved feet have painted cadmium red shoes. The multilayers of dark and light fine cottons and undergarments that make up her original costume are in very good condition—even her little humble fabric purse!

What a fun couple of Grodnertal girls we have from a collection in Provence, in their original, complementary country attire. They are each approximately 8” tall, all of carved wood, and are jointed at the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees, with tiny carved feet that are their painted slippers.

What a fun couple of Grodnertal girls we have from a collection in Provence, in their original, complementary country attire. They are each approximately 8” tall, all of carved wood, and are jointed at the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees, with tiny carved feet that are their painted slippers.

The shape of their heads places them around 1825, with their black painted hair and eyes, prim red lips, and healthy rouged cheeks. Both of their ensembles are of antique printed cottons, with the skirts actually being quilted, giving them an added crispness. While they love each other’s company, they are not opposed to being separated and sold apart. They are priced separately; however, there will be a discount if they are purchased as a pair. The windmill shown as a prop has sold on the Miscellaneous Page of this site.

The shape of their heads places them around 1825, with their black painted hair and eyes, prim red lips, and healthy rouged cheeks. Both of their ensembles are of antique printed cottons, with the skirts actually being quilted, giving them an added crispness. While they love each other’s company, they are not opposed to being separated and sold apart. They are priced separately; however, there will be a discount if they are purchased as a pair. The windmill shown as a prop has sold on the Miscellaneous Page of this site.

A bit of French military nostalgia comes to life here with this endearing wartime “water boy” (12 ¾”) wearing the original uniform he would have worn on the battlegrounds, bringing water to the troops. He even carries his wooden barrel canteen hanging from a leather strap. The whole outfit is original, including the wooden clogs and the fabric pointed cap he wears. He is an early German China, circa 1845–1850, with a short hairdo, exposed ears, and rare wisps of side hair painted on his temples—probably depicting the time of the Franco-Moroccan War of the 1840s.

A bit of French military nostalgia comes to life here with this endearing wartime “water boy” (12 ¾”) wearing the original uniform he would have worn on the battlegrounds, bringing water to the troops. He even carries his wooden barrel canteen hanging from a leather strap. The whole outfit is original, including the wooden clogs and the fabric pointed cap he wears. He is an early German China, circa 1845–1850, with a short hairdo, exposed ears, and rare wisps of side hair painted on his temples—probably depicting the time of the Franco-Moroccan War of the 1840s.

His original body is of cloth, while his arms are leather with stitched fingers. Over his simple red cotton trousers is a quite elaborate long military wool jacket in navy blue, with boldly placed rows of gold metal buttons, additional red cord trim, white cotton underclothing, and an apron as well. I recently sold a smaller French China water girl in a very similar outfit, also purchased in Paris!