Maybe grave doll
Came from a friend who says it was their parents, I estimate the parents born 1920s . A German family idk when they immigrated here though. Idk the material the legs n arms are, it’s like a light cement but I suspect it’s more wood but juts a very dense wood , where as the body is hallow n a very light wood body. Looks like German or even pagan newspaper under hair which is likely human hair
12 inches
Inherited
Yes
Hi Katrina,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
This doll uses a molded German-made bisque head that had painted features (lips, eyelashes, eyebrows) and was repaired using - papier mache'd newsprint was likely used to reattach hair (yes, possibly human) to the skull. The arms and legs are made of what we call "composition" - a mixture of sawdust, glue, cornstarch, resin, and sometimes other fillers that were pressed or molded under pressure. The lightweight wooden body may be a later replacement since it's quite crude compared to the arms and legs.
The term "grave doll" is probably not accurate, though I agree it does portray a sense of "otherworldly"-ness. Most dolls of this size and in this condition usually sell at auction for less than $100.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
A vintage German bisque-head wood doll
circa 1920s
With German bisque-head newsprint and hair later attached, composition arms and legs attached to a painted wood body.
12 inches tall
CONDITION: With losses
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$ 50-75*
*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
