ca. 1918 English bisque black doll head, 17"

Prior to the first world war year of 1914 beautiful German and French bisque dolls reigned supreme and popular, pretty much throughout the world, including in Britain. 

During the war (1914 to 1918) these European dolls were no longer available for import, yet toy shops and the public still desired this type of doll. 

The British government stepped in to encourage the English pottery companies to fill this need, as they were already skilled at producing fine tableware and other porcelain items.

The black doll shown here is believed to have been produced during this time period and shows remarkable skill in mastering a bisque head doll in a relatively short time period.  This same doll was available as a white doll too.

Photos courtesy of Emma Hanby

17" tall, Black solid dome bisque socket head, with lightly molded painted black hair, brown glass sleep eyes, lightly painted upper and lower eyelashes, two red painted dots for nostrils, red painted open mouth with two lower teeth, five piece composition black jointed body with straight legs.  Doll mark British Made incursive.   English ca. 1918

If you are thinking this is an Armand Marseille doll mold 341 look a like black Dream Baby doll, we agree, that doll may have been the English companies inspiration. 

Unfortunately, the marking does not tell us which doll maker produced her, so she is a bit of a mystery. 

If you have any information to share about this doll, please post on our Forum board and we Thank You.