English Wooden dolls were made during the 18th century and are quite well documented. The head and torso were usually carved from one piece of wood and had flat backs. Eyebrows and eyelashes were painted with stylized dots. The eyes were often made of glass and eyebrows painted with small dots, as in the image of the George II doll below.
Below are some examples and price guides of antique English wooden dolls including a George II doll in a blue dress and a round headed doll.
OUTSTANDING GEORGE II ENGLISH WOODEN DOLL IN EXQUISITE GOWN. 25″. One-piece carved wooden head and torso, oval-shaped rounded head with slender face and throat, dark enamel inset eyes, eyeliner with accented eyelash dots, tapered and arched brows, fine-shaped nose and defined chin, closed mouth, rose-blushed cheeks, original brown human hair wig, shaped front torso with defined bosom and narrow waist, wooden arms with tied-joints at shoulders and elbows, carved fingers and thumb, dowel-jointing at hips and knees, fitted blue silk court gown, thickly padded and quilted petticoat, matching blue silk slippers, lace cap. Commentary: English circa 1735, (per old handwritten note attached to her petticoat); exceedingly rare doll with original finish, beautifully costumed, well-preserved with regal presence.
Sold for US$22,000 at Frasher’s Doll Auction in 2020
21″ 18th C. EARLY ENGLISH WOODEN DOLL
Round head with gesso covering, inset black eyes. Dotted line around eyes, brown human hair wig. Jointed body. Attractively redressed in costume made from vintage and antique embroidered linen, silk trims. Cloth shoes. Antique petticoat. Condition: age loss to face, nose. Both arms and legs have been replaced.
Sold for US$950 at Alderfer Auction in 2018
