BISQUE DOLLS
Bisque dolls are a realistic, child looking form of art expression, accessible to all, whether a collector or a common shopper.
Bisque is the unglazed version of porcelain, used to make small (under 8”) dolls when it is the only material used to make the doll. During he late nineteenth and early twentieth century, many doll makers such as Halbig and Kestner and Simon. In those times, the finest bisque dolls were made in France, where the finishing was a lot more distinguished than those made in other countries like Japan.
The bisque doll gained more popularity than the porcelain doll because it had a more realistic look to it, instead of having a glazy texture; it had a skin like look, which was more attractive.
During the 1980’s the doll collector boom arose and revived these little guys and gals popularity, which had descended in the mid twentieth century.
Prices for bisque dolls vary tremendously, according to the place of origin, year and make. If you happen to be at a drift store or garage sale you could be lucky and find a $10 doll, but if you search for a collector’s piece, your piece may be a couple hundred thousand dollars!