{"product_id":"antique-german-abg-highland-mary-china-head-doll-28-inches-circa-1870s","title":"Antique German ABG Highland Mary China Head Doll, 28 Inches, circa 1870s","description":"\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis impressive \u003cstrong\u003eantique German china head doll of the Highland Mary type\u003c\/strong\u003e dates to approximately the \u003cstrong\u003e1870s\u003c\/strong\u003e. Standing an imposing \u003cstrong\u003e28 inches tall (approximately 71 cm)\u003c\/strong\u003e, she has a remarkable presence and is a particularly compelling example for collectors of early porcelain dolls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e Attributed to Alt, Beck \u0026amp; Gottschalck (ABG), Germany\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Highland Mary china shoulder head doll\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Circa 1870s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 28 inches (71 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHead:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glazed porcelain shoulder head\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEyes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Painted blue eyes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHairstyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Molded black curls with a distinctive short fringe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMarking:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1000 × 12 on the shoulder plate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShoulder Plate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Three attachment holes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early cloth body\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHands:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beautifully preserved leather hands with individually stitched fingers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Accompanied by an original handwritten family note\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHead \u0026amp; Facial Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHer glazed porcelain shoulder head features the distinctive molded \u003cstrong\u003eHighland Mary hairstyle\u003c\/strong\u003e — glossy black curls and a short fringe sculpted directly into the porcelain itself. Her face is beautifully finished with painted blue eyes, delicate blush, and fine hand-painted details that preserve the unmistakable charm and aesthetic of her era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe shoulder plate bears the marking \u003cstrong\u003e1000 × 12\u003c\/strong\u003e and features three holes for attachment to the body — a construction detail found on early examples of porcelain dolls of this type.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eConsidering her age of approximately 150 years, the doll is in remarkable condition. The porcelain head retains a beautiful glazed finish and expressive original painting. Her exceptionally well-preserved leather hands are particularly noteworthy. The body, clothing, and footwear show natural signs of age and wear consistent with an antique object of this period. One leather shoe has an old repair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCostume\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHer legs are made of fabric with blue and white horizontal stripes that imitate stockings and are completed with blue leather shoes adorned with tassels. One shoe shows an old period repair, entirely consistent with the doll’s considerable age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe doll is presented in an elegant vintage cream lace dress embellished with decorative coral and white beads. The ensemble beautifully complements her appearance and emphasizes the monumental, almost portrait-like presence of this early \u003cstrong\u003echina head doll\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCollector's Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular note is her early cloth body and her \u003cstrong\u003ebeautifully preserved leather hands with individually stitched fingers\u003c\/strong\u003e. Such leather hands are consistent with the construction of dolls from this period and, together with the distinctive three-hole shoulder plate, further support the early character of this remarkable example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePerhaps the most fascinating element accompanying this doll is an old handwritten note preserved with her. It bears the name \u003cstrong\u003eLeona May Hill\u003c\/strong\u003e and refers to a family history connected with \u003cstrong\u003eHill City, Kansas\u003c\/strong\u003e, founded by her father in 1877. This surviving connection to the past gives the doll an additional historical dimension, transforming her from a beautiful antique collectible into a tangible witness to human history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eantique German Highland Mary china head doll\u003c\/strong\u003e represents a rare combination of artistic beauty, impressive size, early construction details, remarkably preserved elements, and a documented human story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMore than a collectible doll, she is a genuine fragment of the 19th century — preserving her face, her presence, and a name from the past.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBefore Purchasing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and condition report.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs this an authentic antique Highland Mary china head doll?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYes. This is an authentic antique German Highland Mary china head doll, attributed to Alt, Beck \u0026amp; Gottschalck (ABG) and dating to approximately the 1870s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes the doll retain its original early body?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The doll retains her early cloth body along with beautifully preserved leather hands featuring individually stitched fingers, consistent with dolls of this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the significance of the three-hole shoulder plate?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe shoulder plate is marked 1000 × 12 and features three attachment holes, a construction detail found on early examples of Highland Mary china head dolls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat makes this doll especially collectible?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCollectors appreciate her impressive 28-inch size, early construction details, beautifully preserved leather hands, distinctive Highland Mary hairstyle, and the original handwritten provenance note that accompanies the doll.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes this doll include any historical provenance?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The doll is accompanied by an old handwritten note bearing the name Leona May Hill and referring to her family history connected with Hill City, Kansas, adding a unique historical dimension to this remarkable antique doll.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ABG","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49398947938532,"sku":null,"price":1200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0803\/4834\/8644\/files\/antique-german-abg-highland-mary-china-head-doll-28-inches-circa-1870s.png?v=1784034987","url":"https:\/\/yanalamar.gallery\/products\/antique-german-abg-highland-mary-china-head-doll-28-inches-circa-1870s","provider":"Yana Lamar Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}