Hi Tim,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

China dolls are a type of ceramic doll with glazed porcelain heads, typically with painted facial features and molded hair, paired with cloth or leather bodies. They were most popular during the mid-19th century and are rarely signed or marked, making it difficult to specifically pinpoint who made them. Eventually, doll makers - most notably those in France and Germany - turned to making doll heads out of bisque (unglazed) porcelain and attaching them to cloth or composition (a mixture of sawdust and glue) - and China dolls became outdated.

In the current market, unless China dolls come with considerable provenance, they rarely bring more than $100-150 for the larger ones (20 inches or more), with smaller dolls selling for less than that.

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

An antique China doll
American or European, mid 19th Century
With painted and glazed porcelain head wearing a floral patterned black and pink silk dress. Unsigned.
20 inches long
CONDITION: This doll appears to be in very good all-original condition, though client notes some soiling to her clothing.
PROVENANCE: Acquired at a yard sale
$ 75-125*
*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