Price guide to Frozen Charlotte dolls. Frozen Charlotte is a name used to describe a specific form of china doll made from c. 1850 to c. 1920. The dolls had substantial popularity during the Victorian era. The name of the doll originates from the American folk ballad Fair Charlotte, based on the poem “A Corpse Going to a Ball” by Seba Smith, which tells of a young girl called Charlotte who refused to wrap up warmly to go on a sleigh ride because she did not want to cover up her pretty dress; she froze to death during the journey.
The Frozen Charlotte doll is made in the form of a standing, naked figure moulded as a solid piece. The dolls are also sometimes described as pillar dolls, solid chinas or bathing babies. The dolls ranged in size from under an inch to 18 inches plus. The smallest dolls were sometimes used as charms in Christmas puddings. Smaller sizes were very popular for putting in doll’s houses. Occasionally versions are seen with a glazed china front and an unglazed stoneware back. This enabled the doll to float on its back when placed in a bath. Reference: Wikipedia
Frozen charlotte glazed china doll, circa 1880 Tinted standing figure with painted features, short black hair and arms stretched forward, 28cm (11in) tall.
Sold for £ 94 inc. premium at Bonhams in 2006
PAIR OF ANTIQUE CHINA FROZEN CHARLOTTE DOLLS – 5″ and 13″
5″ Doll has an overall pink tint. Blue eyes. 13″ Doll has flesh face only, brown eyes, white body.
Sold for $250 at Alderfer Auction in 2018
Large Frozen Charlotte Porcelain Doll. Large sized unjointed china doll, a standing nude baby from the American folk ballad “Fair Charlotte”; also known as a “Pillar Doll”. Unsigned, excellent condition having a glossy body with hand painted hair and face. 15 in. high x 7.5 in. wide x 6.25 in. deep.
Sold for $150 at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery in 2018
TWO GERMAN BLACK-COMPLEXIONED PORCELAIN DOLLS KNOWN AS “FROZEN CHARLOTTE”
5″ (13 cm.) Each is one-piece all-porcelain doll depicting a young standing child with arms posed in front of body, sculpted curls, painted facial features. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Germany, circa 1880. Value Points: flawless black complexions, one has sculpted and painted night shift.
Sold for $600 at Theriaults
