Antique Simon & Halbig German Bisque Doll Head Little Women Glass Eyes Blonde Wig

This is a small antique Simon & Halbig bisque porcelain doll head bust, known as the "Little Women" or "Lady" dollhouse head, introduced around 1894–1900, and made in Germany.

Standing just 1 1/2 inches in height, this detailed miniature depicts a young girl with large, expressive glass eyes, delicately painted facial features and an elaborate blonde wig.

Her face is particularly appealing, with large, dark-centred glass eyes, finely painted upper and lower eyelashes, gently arched eyebrows, softly rouged cheeks and small, coral-coloured lips. The eyes are set into the bisque head, giving the face a wonderfully lifelike appearance.

One of the most distinctive features is her elaborately arranged blonde wig, fashioned from a fine, lustrous fibre, possibly mohair or silk. The hair is neatly parted at the centre front, with carefully arranged rows of smooth strands secured along the parting. On either side of her face, the hair falls in long, tightly formed ringlets.

The back of the wig is especially attractive, with an intricate arrangement of interwoven braids and coiled sections, creating a beautifully detailed hairstyle reminiscent of late Victorian and Edwardian fashions. The wig appears to retain its original arrangement, with only minor stray fibres.

The bust is fashioned in finely moulded, unglazed bisque porcelain, with a softly rounded shoulder line and a gently tapered lower section. The naturalistic flesh colouring and delicate facial painting are characteristic of the quality associated with German dollmaking of this period.

The back is impressed with the S & H mark of Simon & Halbig, together with the number 1160. The numbers 9/0 appear at the bottom front. Simon & Halbig was one of Germany's best-known manufacturers of bisque doll heads, particularly admired for its finely modelled faces and expressive glass eyes.

This small bust was originally intended for incorporation into a miniature doll, probably about 5 1/2 to 7 inches tall. Its compact size, detailed modelling and elaborate wig make it an especially appealing collector's piece.

Measurements:

Height: 1 1/2 inches

Width: 1 1/4 inches

Condition: Excellent condition. The bisque appears intact, with no apparent chips, cracks or repairs. The facial features and glass eyes are beautifully preserved, and the elaborate blonde wig remains in remarkably good order, with only a few minor stray fibres. Please examine the photographs carefully.