Antique Victorian Wax Over Shoulder Head Doll in Original Style Costume c.1870

Regular price: £225.00
Sale price: £225.00
Regular price

A wonderfully atmospheric 19th-century wax-over shoulder head doll, dating to approximately the 1860s–1880s.

She has a wax-over-composition shoulder head with inset dark glass eyes, painted facial features and an applied brown hair wig. The doll has a traditional stuffed cloth body with leather lower arms and hands.

She is particularly appealing for her elaborate period costume, comprising a grey dress with extensive fine net and lace overlays, decorative trimmings and a full skirt embellished with numerous small applied details. Around her shoulders is a generous lace-trimmed wrap, while the outfit is completed by a beautifully made striped bonnet trimmed with braid, lace and darker gathered decoration. Further layers of old underclothing remain beneath the dress.

A highly decorative Victorian doll with a wonderfully timeworn appearance and considerable character.

Product variants

Size/Dimensions

Approximately H: 40 cm

Condition

In genuine antique condition with wear and deterioration consistent with considerable age. The wax-over face has surface crazing, marks and areas of loss, most noticeably around the nose, together with wear to the painted facial detail. The shoulder plate has areas of discolouration and surface wear.

The leather hands are heavily worn with cracking, losses and deterioration, including damage to the fingers. The wig has age-related wear and thinning.

The costume is fragile and shows extensive age-related wear. The fine net and lace have numerous breaks, holes and losses, with some sections detached or requiring careful handling. There are also marks, discolouration and wear to the fabrics and trimmings throughout. The bonnet similarly shows age-related wear to its fabric, lace and trims.

The cloth body and legs remain intact with general marks and age-related wear.

Despite these condition issues, the doll retains a particularly striking appearance and much of the character of her early costume.

Victorian, circa 1860–1880.