German bisque doll with leather and cloth body, Simon & Halbig, eyes open and close
I was always told that this was my grandma's doll (she was born in the early 1900's). She is marked on the back "Simon & Harbig" with number 1080 (I think that's a 1080 - it could be 080) She has a bisque head and eyes that will open and close. I believe her pearl jewelry is original. Her body is in pretty good condition and is leather and cloth. Her shoulder, elbow and hip joints work well. There is some damage to the leather around her elbow joints. She has knee joints that don't really stretch too far. Her hands are not broken. Her wig is detaching from her head. I believe it's real hair. She was wearing the white dress with bib collar and blue bow, a full slip, pantaloons, stockings and black leather boots. Besides what she was wearing, there were a heavy chemise and stockings, a pair of pantaloons and a 3-tiered slip
23 inches long
Inherited
Yes
Hi Annette,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Simon & Halbig dolls, created by the German company founded in 1839, are highly prized by collectors. Known for their exquisite bisque heads, detailed facial features, and expressive eyes, these dolls were often paired with bodies made by other companies like Heinrich Handwerck. Simon & Halbig's craftsmanship and innovative techniques in doll-making set industry standards, making their creations timeless treasures in the antique doll world. Their dolls remain popular for their beauty and historical significance.
Simon and Halbig ONLY made the heads; the bodies were by other makers. Clothing is rarely something that survives with these dolls, so for you to have them contributes positively and significantly to its value.
The height of the doll market was the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, when this doll would probably have brought between $500-1,000 at auction; today, with fewer collectors, dolls of this size and completeness are more likely to sell for $300-800.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
An antique Simon & Halbig bisque porcelain head doll
Head 1080 Model, made in Germany, late 19th/early 20th Century
The bisque-head doll with blue sleeping eyes, painted features, blond wig, pearl earrings and necklace, with muslin-lined torso and arms (bisque hands) and kid-lined legs. Wearing a white dress with bib collar and blue bow, a full slip, pantaloons, stockings and black leather boots. Accompanied by a chemise and stockings, a pair of pantaloons and a 3-tiered slip
23 inches long
CONDITION: This doll is in very good all-original condition. Client represents there is some separation to the hair and some wear to elbows and possible stiffness to knees.
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$400-600*
*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
