These are my most precious dolls
The first one here is a Minerva doll and her head is made of tin!
Her stamp was hard to get to and I accidentally tore her kid body. Her body is in rough shape. I used artist's tape to stop her sawdust from spilling out. I actually think it's cork shavings. I don't think her hands are original. I will have to find some tin hands for her...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkul6X0PEqGDWCbVIz-LdY2qqUI7jzmVhnyOjK-b-B5avLMsCgmEfdrCD6lKF0WZuQd2c9JLvRBpoqS0i3Vx3Z-ajQAbGvfb0yM4d6smpBVw_omRNu8eqLLheLjr_tuRV83-whKFzgteef/s640/20604448_10213983922331752_7054411877554716631_n.jpg)
Her lower legs are made of cloth. While her dress was off for repairs, I thought it would be good to photograph her beautifully made dress...
The back has lovely hand sewn button holes...
You don't have to have a serge setting on your machine to finish the seems so beautifully.
The undergarments...
Kestner
This Kestner 167 doll head was for sale at a good price on ebay because it's damaged. There is a crack going down the side of her face. I found an antique composition German body on Ruby Lane and learned how to attach her head. She may not be worth a lot, but to me, she is worth a fortune because I'm hoping to learn how to make bisque reproduction dolls. I'll never afford a real Bru Jne, but the glow of this doll and the mastery of her lips, eyelashes and eyebrows are the best example a future doll artist could hope for!
Her new Lettie mohair wig is a little sparse for my taste. Although her head has a 9" circumference, I should have bought a 13 for the sake of length and volume. I could always take the cap part in. Her dress is handmade and borrowed from another vintage doll. I didn't make this one, but the lavender is pretty with the red hair.
I may copy her lower arms and hands with Kato poly clay for the Minerva doll...
Here they are together. They are almost the same size...
Now to try re-positioning the wig so her forehead is smaller.
1/12/18
Here is a group photo of my dear antique German doll collection:
From left to right: Simon Halbig 1079, China head doll: Kestner mignonette, Minerva, Armand Marsielles googly, Kestner 167, and the large one is an Armand Marsielles 390.