Creepy Antique Doll

Thank you to everyone that visited or linked to this weeks Open
House party.  The party is still going on and there is time to
join in.
While out antiquing yesterday I found this rather cute creepy antique doll.  Even though
I have been an antique dealer for many years, I have never owned nor sold dolls.  My
knowledge is rather limited,  so this is why I need your help.
I have done some online research but didn’t find much information other
than the head is tin and the body is straw filled.  The doll’s body
and clothing appear to be homemade with hand stitching.   Look
at these funny looking hands?
Her clothing seems to be original. The chemise is very delicate and has some dry rot but the
cut work petticoat and bloomers are in good condition.

 

 

 

 

The picture below is distorted because of the angle, though the body, feet and hands
do appear too large for the body. In this picture she has on handsewn socks.
I like to think this doll was lovingly made by a mother for her daughter.
Can you imagine a child’s joy at receiving this wonderful gift?
Any info you can share on the age, origin or value of the doll will
be greatly appreciated.   After more research she will be for sale at
my Etsy Shop.
Lucia
Author

18 thoughts on “Creepy Antique Doll”

  1. I hope the doll receives a loving home. That being said, I will say that 3 years ago, I went on a Christmas homes tour in Houston(actually it was in The Heights) and one of the homes was gorgeous (recently built) with a room devoted to dolls. This was showcase after showcase FILLED with really valuable antique dolls. The man in line man behind us said, "Reminds me of Chuckie — gives me the creeps." Now, for the rest of the story, last winter this over a million dollar home burned to the ground, killing both the owner (who was in a wheel chair) as well as her caretaker who had worked for her for many years. The story was on our local news & even was on the front of the Houston Chronicle. I felt that house had a really bad karma despite its beauty and I think it came from those dolls.

  2. All I know is she's before my day! My mom didn't really have toys, she said once she supposed she had a doll one time, so I imagine it would have been something like this handmade. Handmade is the only way to explain those hands huh?

    ~Bliss~

  3. Sherry, it's been a while since I've dealt in antique dolls, but she appears to be a Minerva tin head doll from the late 1800s. They were made in Germany and quite popular. These were more indestructible than the china heads of the day and marketed as such for little girls to play with. It's possible that the body and clothing were handmade, but they were also commercially made, too. It was also common with this type of body to have sewn on socks or leather boots. The clothing certainly looks period and quite possibly original. If there is a number on the back of her shoulderplate this would correspond to her size. Do a search of "Minerva tin head" on ebay to see similar examples. I hope this helps. I can only make an educated guess without actually examining the doll in person. I used to have a collection of antique French and German bisque head/composition body dolls that also included china head and Parian examples. I got out of the doll business a few years ago and auctioned my entire collection off at Theriault's in Maryland.

  4. Sherry I don't know much about dolls either…I just buy the ones that "speak" to me. Your doll almost looks like a "make do" The head looks way to small for the body…Perhaps some loving mother repaired one doll by using pieces of another? Just a guess. Vanna

  5. So sweet,and wouldn't it be awesome to know it's history. I love dolls especially babydoll ones. This would have been a to play with one, I think handmade in hard times for a child from her mother.
    x jeanetteann

  6. I immediately thought she looked like a Minerva too. They usually have the name and number on the shoulder plate. I have one that my daughter found at a garage sale, several years ago. I just finished giving her a new body and have yet to make her some clothing. I haven't a clue about the price, however.

  7. You could contact the Margaret Strong Museum in Rochester, New York for info…..they specialize in dolls and children's playthings. Love the petticoat, she is so sweet….hugs…cleo

  8. It looks like a German Minerva doll. The easiest way to find out what you can actually expect to get for her is doing a search on ebay for tin head dolls. Then on the left side of the page, click on completed listings. This will give you a list of what was actually paid (price in green), plus those that didn't get any bids at all (price in red). Just looking at current listings only tells you what people THINK they should get, not what buyers will actually pay. Hope this helps!

  9. Goodmorning! I love that doll, and her history, what a great share. Hope your week's going well. I adore the work you do. Huggs, Dianna (Sunny109)

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