Posted 8 years ago
chinaheads
(22 items)
Agnes' facial expression is one of complete serenity and benevolence, such as I have never seen to this extent in a china head doll. I'm usually a lover of more mature, haughty-looking china head faces, of which leading china factory Conta and Boehme made some of the finest examples in the 19th century. Agnes is a very becoming flat top. She is the bearer of tranquility and peace, her eyes fixed reverently towards the heavens, her inviting smile draws you in-just looking at Agnes gives you a sense of inner peace, I think.
Agnes was found in a charity (second hand) shop in the 1970's in Australia. Before then, nothing is known. I acquired her from my Mum, who purchased Agnes from a doll collector about 10 years ago.
Agnes' hairstyle is described as a bit of a modified 'flat top'-if you view the photos of my flat top Sara that I posted yesterday, you'll see notice a bit of a difference. The clusters of curls around the side of the head don't sit nearly as high or as puff out as much as Sara's do.
Standing at 27", Agnes is a reasonable size. Her head weighs a considerable amount, and reaches nearly 6" in height alone. It's described as a 'moon face' due to it's obvious broadness. Like the majority of German china heads, she bears no markings at all. A few people I've shown her to suggest the Kister Porcelain Factory as a possible maker. Many china heads attributed to Kister seem to have those thicker eyebrows which don't have much curvature. I'm open to opinions and suggestions, what do you think?
Agnes has been fortunate to make it out of the 19th century reasonably unscathed, original body intact minus her arms. She doesn't appear too concerned. Who needs arms when you're this good-looking?
Her sawdust-filled body is stained but serviceable. The clothing looks antique, or at least hovering on antique (the buttons feel plastic though I think), the dress has seen better times, there's layers of petticoats and other simple lace-trimmed homemade undergarments.
Photos and text by Carly Louise.
I am in love with her serene face . I think that is what initially attracted me to China dolls. Stunning doll. My favorite China is the biedermeier by far . I had a few but sold them years ago and regret it now .
I love your description of her almost as much as I love her.
Thank you both so much for your comments. She's a phenomenal beauty and the only broad-faced china head I own. I don't own any wigged china heads yet, but I'd love to. Conta & Boehme faces are by far my favourite.