Reproductions
There was a resurgence in the popularity of china dolls in the mid 1900s when many were reproduced in the United States by companies such as Ruth Gibbs of New Jersey and Californians Emma Clear and Mark Farmer, among many others. From the 1930s Emma Clear became renowned for her high quality, finely made reproduction china heads. She also produced some all-original, non-reproduction dolls, including portraits of George and Martha Washington made in the same manner as antique dolls.
Some hobbyists purchased or made molds from original antique china dolls and created reproductions in low fired ceramic. These home made versions are typically of poor paint quality and may exhibit crazing in the glaze due to poor firing technique. Another tip off that such a doll is a reproduction is if it is signed with an individual's name and/or date. The antique dolls were not typically signed in this manner.
There were several models of china dolls made in Japan and marketed in the 20th century too. These doll heads were often labeled only with easily lost stickers inside the heads. They are frequently mistaken for their antique German predecessors. Trading companies in The United States, such as Shackman, Brinn and A A Importing company, distributed these dolls, frequently in kit form. The Standard Doll Co. of Long Island, New York also advertised china dolls in the 1970s. The examples shown here were marketed by A A Importing Company of St. Louis, Missouri. This company was founded in 1934 as a dealer in kerosene lamp parts and is still in business today. Shortly before and after World War II the company's focus changed and they became importers of crystal, art glass and porcelain. Today they specialize in antique reproductions. The blonde doll heads shown here were probably marketed by A A Importing Company after the end of World War 2.
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