What are they?
These tiny pottery dolls date from about 1850 to 1920. Originating in Germany they were depicted as a standing, naked figure molded as a solid piece, mass-produced and inexpensive, sometimes called ‘pillar dolls’ or ‘solid china’s’. The smallest version cost a penny in the USA, earning them the name “Penny Dolls.”
A sought-after toy, they came in white, were tinted pink, or, more rarely, painted black. Some were painted with dark hair and red lips, but most were plain. Some later dolls took on further embellishments, including moulded undergarments or basic clothing.
Baked in a pie…or pudding!
Although most were tiny, the dolls ranged in size from less than an inch to over a foot long. These very small dolls were often used as “Pudding dolls”, baked into cakes or Christmas pudding as a lucky charm. Larger dolls are said to have been meant for play, including in dolls houses or in the bath. As they were often nude, they were perfect for water play and were sometimes called “Bathing babies”. If the front was glazed and the back left unglazed, the dolls could even float in the bath water!
What’s a Frozen Charlotte?
Sometimes these Dolls are called Frozen Charlotte dolls. One thought is that it’s because of a song and poem that was popular at the time the dolls were introduced to the USA in the 1850s, the American folk ballad “Fair Charlotte” based on the poem "A Corpse Going to a Ball"by Elizabeth Oakes Smith. The tale tells of a young girl called Charlotte who refused to wrap up warmly and cover her pretty dress while going on a sleigh ride and froze to death during the journey.
It’s a very morbid Brothers Grimm style tale to have told to children, but at the time harsh morality tales were common. However it’s doubtful the dolls were known as Frozen Charlottes during the Victorian era, as there’s no mention of them in American newspapers or magazines of the time according to experts, and adverts call them ‘China, or Penny Dolls.”
Where Can You Find Them?
If you're intrigued by the world of penny dolls and Frozen Charlotte, you might be wondering where you can find them. These vintage dolls can be found in antique shops, online auctions, and even at flea markets. Just be prepared to dive into a world of nostalgia and history when you start collecting these tiny treasures.
So, the next time you come across a penny doll or a Frozen Charlotte, remember the quirky tales and history behind these tiny treasures. Who knew that such small dolls could hold so much charm and intrigue? Happy collecting! And a big Thankyou to my local doll collector, Dale, for sharing her knowledge with me.
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