Porcelain Doll Collection

I'm one of those people who hates change, and can't easily give up on something I've loved for years before.  But I needed more space in my dining room china cabinet for my BJDs, and to better display all the miniature cakes and tea sets.  And that meant bumping out the five old porcelain reproduction dolls sitting in there. They used to be displayed proudly on a shelf in my glass doll display cases, but got bumped out of there when I needed more space there for my BJDs a few years back. And now they are being bumped again.

Last month I totally refreshed all five, washing all their clothes, replacing or reworking worn out elastic, and washing their wigs, and restyling the two human hair ones.

I haven't decided what to do with them. One can't keep EVERYTHING, but I have a really hard time getting rid of my things. So I decided to take some photos of them, while I still have all of them.

Yesterday I forced myself to take some photos of them out in the back garden, before the frost expected tonight kills all my plants....

Four of the dolls were bought as porcelain doll kits at doll shows over the years, back when I was a young Mom. The kits just included the porcelain head, hands and feet, and a sometimes a pattern for a cloth body. Then they needed nice clothes - which I thoroughly enjoyed making. This Steiner has a pinafore of beautiful antique laces, and a handmade wig of human hair...

Their clothes became simpler over the years (from right to left)....

The fifth doll (in green) was one I painted myself at a porcelain doll class. She's on a reproduction composition body. Her outfit is made with pure green and pale pink silk, and antique lace....

One thing I noticed when taking the photos yesterday, was just how unposable the dolls are. At least all the ones with cloth bodies. The only thing that moves is their head. Their scale is jarring too, with their huge heads, and TINY hands and feet.  But they bring back a lot of fond memories. 

My Mom gave me the money to buy this 'Gail Karen' modern porcelain doll kit, for a birthday.....

..and I made, and sold, several different colour versions of this Steiner.....

I had considered reworking all their clothes and making them fit various BJDs, but decided in the end to leave them alone, and let them keep their clothes. One is already promised, and I think I'll keep the green one that I painted myself. Not sure what I'll do with the other three.