Shop our gallery collection of antique Simon & Halbig bisque head dolls, produced in Gräfenhain, Germany during the Imperial era. Simon & Halbig was one of the most prolific and technically accomplished bisque doll head manufacturers in history, supplying heads to leading doll makers across Europe. Each piece is authenticated and presented in gallery condition.
At Yana Lamar Gallery, each piece is not simply an object — it is a fragment of time. Unlike modern items, antique dolls were created in a different era, with different materials, techniques, and intentions. They were not designed for mass consumption, but carefully crafted to be held, cherished, and remembered.
The Simon & Halbig collection at Yana Lamar Gallery presents a carefully selected group of antique bisque dolls associated with one of the most important German bisque head manufacturers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded in Gräfenhain, Thuringia, Simon & Halbig supplied bisque heads to many of the leading doll makers of the era, including Kämmer & Reinhardt, Heinrich Handwerck, C.M. Bergmann, and others, making their work central to the history of German antique dolls.
Simon & Halbig heads are recognized for their fine bisque quality, expressive glass eyes, carefully painted features, and a wide range of mold numbers serving both child and character doll types. Their heads appear on dolls with a variety of body types and constructions, and attribution often involves examining both head and body markings together.
Each Simon & Halbig doll at Yana Lamar Gallery is individually selected and described with detailed condition notes, available markings, body information, and provenance where known.
Simon & Halbig heads are typically marked with S & H or Simon & Halbig, a mold number, size number, and often Germany or DEP. Frequently encountered mold numbers include the 1009, 1039, 1079, 1159, and 1249 (Santa), among many others. The bisque is generally smooth and well-finished with characteristic painted brows and delicate lip coloring.
Simon & Halbig was one of the most important German manufacturers of bisque doll heads, supplying heads to many leading doll makers including Kämmer & Reinhardt, Heinrich Handwerck, and C.M. Bergmann. Their heads are found on a wide variety of antique dolls and are recognized for fine bisque quality, expressive glass eyes, and carefully painted features.
Simon & Halbig heads are typically marked with S & H or Simon & Halbig, a mold number, size number, and often Germany or DEP on the back of the bisque head. Common mold numbers include 1009, 1039, 1079, 1159, and 1249. Body markings and construction can also help establish the full attribution of a doll.
Simon & Halbig was active from the 1860s through the early 20th century. The bisque heads most commonly collected today date from approximately the 1880s through the 1920s, spanning the peak period of German bisque doll production.
Yes. Collectors are welcome to contact Yana Lamar Gallery to request additional photographs or clarification about markings, condition, body construction, eyes, wig, or any other details before making a purchase decision.
Browse the current selection of antique Simon & Halbig bisque dolls at Yana Lamar Gallery and discover a piece that reflects the craftsmanship at the heart of German antique doll making.
