Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Antique German Bisque doll Easter Figures

Easter is coming and I have been feverishly working on some new items for this beautiful holiday.

I fell in love with these antique doll heads after learning about their long journey back into existence.
These porcelain bisque heads are over 100 years old and have been dug from the grounds of a porcelain factory in Thuringia Germany around 1900. The heads are from dolls that were damaged at one time or another and thrown out into a pile that were covered up over time with dirt. The heads are usually broken off at the neck line and occasionally have a nick or crack on them depending on how they were handled.
These little heads which have survived all these years buried deep in the earth makes them even more special and rare.


I became facinated by their journey back into existence and decided that they needed to be brought back to their glorious selves. After a good cleaning I make their bodies out of wool roving which has been needlefelted and then begin to make the clothing and place them in their setting.

I love the old German Candy Containers and paper mache figures from this period so I try to place them in a similar setting. So my first 2 figures I decided to place in a Easter setting.  New dolls will be made for different occasions depending on the doll. Some will also have porcelain arms and legs and some with the needle felting. So keep watching as new ones arrive. Each one is a One Of A Kind. Made with vintage trims and occasionally new trims if appropriate. They will be for sale in my Etsy Shop and Ebay.
Have a Blessed Day!!!   ;-)

11 comments:

Sue said...

Marcie, what a lovely and delightful way to use these rescued heads. I love these Easter creations! Beautiful!

Sue:)

Cheryl said...

Beautiful! I am a china head doll collector. I must say you did a wonderful job on this piece. The idea of making the bodies out of wool BRILLIANT!
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY~!

Unknown said...

Hi Marcie,What beautiful little doll heads!! Are they half dolls, or just the heads? How did you come about finding these treasures? Were they expensive? I am a so curious about this as I have heard about the dolls being thrown out and buried, but I have never known anyone to have purchased any...
I just wondered about it because I have been sculpting some half dolls.
I find them so intriguing.
Anyway your creations are amazing, you are one talented lady!!!

Marcie Hart - A Work Of Hart said...

Thank you Sue!
Always a treat to hear from you!
;-)

Marcie Hart - A Work Of Hart said...

Thank you Cheryl! So happy you popped in to say Hello! Have a great day! ;-)

Marcie Hart - A Work Of Hart said...

Hi Dessa! The heads are usually broken at the neckline...at least the ones I purchase. Ebay is a good source as 2 diggers in Germany sell them in bulk. Then the buyers here in the US sell them individually. They get a pretty good price depending on the damage. I love these little heads and plan on making more in the future with wings, flower heads etc., Thank you for your sweet compliment. ;-)

Jdee said...

I saw these on your Facbook Marice and have to say again how precious they are and how brilliant you are! I love them!
xoxo

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Dear Marcie
Oh what a beautiful job you have done in bringing all these treasured little faces back to life. To know that they were deep in the earth for so long and now they will all be emerging with your skillful hands.. How wonderful!!!
The needle felted body.. Great idea.. This has reminded me that I have not picked up my needle felting in a long time..
I am excited to see more little ones.. I will check back often.
Take care dear friend.
Penny

b.b.flockling * Rose said...

How perfectly wonderful, Marice! Your desire and ability to resurrect beauty from the ashes is truly a gift from Above...love, Rose

Marcie Hart - A Work Of Hart said...

Thank you so much Rose and Penny.
I don't know why I have such a desire to rescue poor neglected things. I guess I have always been that way. That is probably why we have 4 stray cats that I am feeding right now along with our huge menagerie of animals we have loved over the years. LOL
Thank you so much for your uplifting words.
Have a Blessed Day! ;-)

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Dear Marcie
It was so kind of you to come by and meet my sister.. Always good to see you there.. again, I just love what you have done with these dolls.
Blessings, Penny