Collecting porcelain dolls has been a popular hobby for a long time. Seemingly unrelated is the fact that the fashion of the Victorian era has long been a topic of interest. But the two are related when you realize that Victorian porcelain dolls are some of the most popular collectibles available. Of course with that popularity comes a large number of these dolls to choose from.
But that doesn't mean that just because something is so labeled that it accurately represents the fashion and style of the Victorian era. In fact, many dolls marketed as such are full of historical inaccuracies. For many people accuracy is important when buying something that represents the era. That means you need to understand how to find dolls that are true representations of the time period, and how to weed out those that contain numerous problems.
Victorian era fashion consisted of petticoats, bustles and of course, corsets, which were a necessary part of any outfit from that time period. Check the undergarments on the doll you are looking at if there are any. Do they match the norm from the era? Many cheaper dolls with the "Victorian" label do not. In fact, you'll find these ladies wearing items that look like they come from the Fredrick's of Hollywood catalog instead of what they should be wearing.
One might think that dressing in such an elegant period involved the use of many accessories. That was not the case, however. Most ladies would don a hat and may also wear a cameo or a simple string of pearls, but very few wore anything more ostentatious than that. Many inferior Victorian porcelain dolls include a much wider range of jewelries and accessories, many of which are anachronistic at best.
Now let's talk about dress fabrics. Day dresses from the era were typically lighter fabrics. Linen was most popular during the warm summer months. During the colder months flannel was the most popular. When you're looking at Victorian porcelain dolls be sure to check the fabrics. You'll find many wearing dresses from fabrics that simply were not used. And those royal evening gowns? Generally they were made from organdy, silk, or taffeta. If historical accuracy means anything to you, you'll want your doll wearing a dress made from those materials. There are plenty of great reference books available if you need help deciding whether or not the doll you're looking at is a close representative of the age.
The better dolls on the market will faithfully recreate the styles of the time, while lesser manufacturers seem to succumb to the temptation to slap the "Victorian" label on anything that is remotely dressy or fancy.
If you are not an avid collector or are purchasing the doll as perhaps a gift for a child, all this may not matter to you. You may be purchasing the doll simply because it is attractive to you, and that's great. But if you want a doll that is faithful to all the Victorian era had to offer, then all of the above attributes will be important. Those are the areas where historical errors most frequently occur. Knowing them will help you get a doll that is truly representative of the era.
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