| Collectors and admirers of antique Jumeau porcelain | | | | Many doll artists make their own patterns from |
| dolls would be fully aware of the extraordinary prices | | | | photographs of antique dolls and much research is |
| these much-loved dolls fetch. The French dolls of the | | | | often involved to ensure the style is authentic to the |
| late 1800s and early 1900s were particularly admired | | | | period, right down to the underwear. Fabrics and |
| for their sumptuous costumes and any little girl lucky | | | | trims are also carefully chosen to suit the era of the |
| enough to own one must have sensed the quality | | | | original doll. Many of the embellishments are |
| and rarity of her doll. The care that many of the little | | | | hand-sewn onto the garments. Millinery used on the |
| owners took with their prized playthings is evidenced | | | | antique dolls was often quite elaborate and requires |
| by the number of dolls that have survived in | | | | much skill to duplicate. Often a doll's socks and leather |
| surprisingly good condition. However, supply of these | | | | shoes must be handmade in order to achieve just |
| dolls is far surpassed by demand for them, with the | | | | the right look. The many hours involved in creating |
| result that prices continue to skyrocket. But there is | | | | these treasures is not fully reflected in the prices, |
| an excellent alternative if your budget cannot justify | | | | with many doll artists considering their work a 'labour |
| such an outlay, with exquisitely rendered | | | | of love'. |
| reproductions available that very nearly match, or in | | | | In order to have their work appraised objectively, |
| some cases even surpass, the beauty of the originals. | | | | many of the top doll makers regularly submit their |
| The reproduction dolls made today replicate the very | | | | dolls into competitions to be judged by experts in |
| best of the antiques, with comparable detail in the | | | | their particular field. Every aspect of the doll is |
| molding of the faces and equivalent, or often | | | | scrutinized, from the painting, the wig, the style of |
| superior, skill applied to the painting. Only after many | | | | costuming and it's suitability for the doll. The rules for |
| years of painting will most doll artists feel equipped to | | | | antique reproductions are very strict and must be |
| attempt to make one of these prized beauties. Each | | | | adhered to in order to win the coveted awards. |
| bisque doll head is painstakingly prepared for painting | | | | Fabric type and colour, as well as the sewing |
| with careful sanding and the application of just the | | | | techniques and accessories must be appropriate to |
| right shade of blush. Details such as eyebrows and | | | | the era from which the antique doll originated. |
| eyelashes are applied to exacting standards using | | | | As mentioned before, in many cases the |
| photographs of an antique example for guidance. The | | | | reproductions indeed outshine the original dolls |
| process involves several steps, building up the layers | | | | available today, as clothing in particular, has only rarely |
| of painting detail, with kiln firing at precise | | | | survived intact. Even dolls kept under ideal conditions |
| temperatures between each step. The delicate | | | | are showing signs of age, with fabric colors faded or |
| porcelain must be carefully handled and any mistake | | | | decaying. Also, as a good reproduction doll made by |
| in temperature or slight bump can mean starting the | | | | an expert is a reproduction of the very best antique |
| whole process again. | | | | example, the standard is set high. All the old sewing |
| Once the head is completed, the best glass eyes | | | | techniques are lovingly and expertly reproduced and |
| available are used and colours chosen that match the | | | | the results can be truly outstanding. Such dolls are |
| painted details. Wigs are often handmade from the | | | | indeed works of art and examples of superior |
| finest mohair and colored to suit the doll, sometimes | | | | craftsmanship, just as the best, most highly-prized |
| human hair wigs are used. Next comes the task of | | | | original dolls were in their day. |
| choosing the right costume for the doll. | | | | |