Antique DEP Bisque Head Dolls 1880s+

The antique DEP type bisque head dolls are called such, as they only have the DEP incised mark on the back of the head, plus a size number. No other doll makers mark, letters, symbol or mold numbers are present.

Many French or German antique bisque dolls have DEP in the doll marking, plus the makers symbol, letters etc. On a French doll DEP is an abbreviation for Déposé, on a German doll DEP is an abbreviation for Deponirt, both referring to a registered design patent in their respective countries.

The earliest DEP dolls have a closed mouth, later dolls have an open mouth, some DEP dolls may have a Jumeau ink stamped head or body, some later DEP bisque heads are thought to have been made by Simon & Halbig.

The antique DEP bisque socket head doll shown left is 23″ tall, marked only DEP 8, with a composition ball jointed body including wrists, wigged, feathered brows, real upper eyelashes, painted lower eyelashes, sleep eyes, open mouth with teeth. Note clicking on the photos will enlarge to full size.