Dear Christine,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

This doll has the look of ones made by Johann Daniel Kestner Jr. (JDK) in Waltershausen, Thuringia; he began crafting papier‑mâché dolls and toys as early as 1816 in Waltershausen, Germany. By around 1845 it was a major regional employer, earning the nickname “King Kestner”. Initially, dolls featured wood and papier-mâché heads, peg-jointed bodies, and cloth or leather bodies. By 1860, JDK Kestner acquired the Ohrdruf porcelain factory and shifted into china (glaze) and bisque (unglazed porcelain) doll heads. They became known for high-quality bisque dolls, including baby dolls, character dolls, shoulder-head dolls, and lady dolls.

I'm fairly certain the stamp (made twice and now illegible) was that of the retailer who sold the doll, rather than the maker. Dolls attributed to Kestner of this size usually sell at auction for between $200 and $300.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique bisque-head doll
Attributed to JD Kestner, made in Germany, early 20th Century
With painted bisque head wearing removeable brown wig and with blue sleeping eyes, with a composition body dressed in apparently the original pink silk dress with ribbon and lace trim, and shoes. Back of head impressed "Made in Germany"; doll with unintelligible double retailer's stamp.
14 inches
CONDITION: This doll appears to be in good condition; value assumes
PROVENANCE: Unknown
$200-300*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia