A composition doll is a doll made partially or wholly out of composition, a composite material composed of sawdust, glue, and other materials such as cornstarch, resin and wood flour.[1] The first composition dolls were made in the 19th century.
Composite dolls were marketed as unbreakable, compared to earlier more fragile dolls.[2] However, over time the composite material deteriorated, leaving many older dolls with small cracks and flaked surfaces.[3] Some dolls were given a protective coating of varnish to delay deterioration.[4]
Notable composition dolls include Bleuette of France, Marilú of Argentina and Mariquita Pérez of Spain.
- ^ Sandy Hargrove (2013). Costumes of Old Mexico Carselle & Poveda Souvenir Dolls. Lulu.com. p. 15. ISBN 978-1-300-93535-3.
- ^ Izen, Judith. Collector's Guide to Ideal Dolls: Identification and Value Guide Archived 2012-08-25 at the Wayback Machine, 3rd Edition. Collector's Books, 2005.
- ^ Debbie Behan Garrett (2003). The Definitive Guide to Collecting Black Dolls. Debbie Behan Garrett. p. 14. ISBN 978-0-87588-653-4.
- ^ Charlene Davis Roth (1980). Making Original Dolls of Composition, Bisque, and Porcelain. Crown Publishers. p. 35. ISBN 978-0-517-53717-6.