Art Dolls
The Art Of Reborn Dolls
More and more doll collectors are embracing a market that produces realistic baby dolls. The creativity and hard work necessary to produce the lifelike figures has been named "creating reborn dolls." This article takes a look at this popular trend, explores its popularity, and suggests some pros and cons.
A review of doll history indicates that the Berenguer and Preemie dolls were the forerunners of this current trend. These dolls were the first of their kind to closely resemble human babies with their realistic expressions, body shapes, materials used on the outer surfaces, and other lifelike attributes. Once the desire for realism was sparked, doll artists began to experiment with laborious processes to eliminate artificial appearances. Discoveries of new artistic techniques resulted in more realistic enhancements for reborn dolls.
The concept of "reborning" is simple; however, it is a painstaking process that starts with a soft vinyl doll that can come apart. It is then stuffed for realistic weight and painted for lifelike tinting. All features of the dolls are chosen by the creator. There are many choices to make when creating realistic baby dolls: the color and texture of the hair that is individually hand rooted; the color of the eyes; the shape of the mouth; the shape of the face and facial features.
The process begins with purchasing a soft vinyl baby doll with the features you want. Kits to "reborn" dolls are also available to purchase. A good starter kit can be purchased for around $30, and an advanced kit upwards of $150. Berenguer reborning kits are the most basic. They come unassembled and simple. You will actually start by sculpting your own baby's face yourself. Middleton Dolls, as well, offers unassembled realistic baby doll kits with the baby's face already sculpted for painting. These faces are sculpts created by two well-known artists, Reva Schick and Eva Helland.
One advantage of creating realistic baby dolls is that reborn dolls are individually handmade and therefore, very unique. It is a work of art that when finished is truly your own original creation. It can be a very personally satisfying experience. "Reborning" may also be a way to represent a memory of a child by recreating a baby that stays forever young and doesn't grow up. It may replace a child that was lost. Another rewarding aspect of the "reborning" process is purchasing clothes for the baby, or making them yourself. Creating original clothes adds to the uniqueness of the dolls.
While some doll lovers enjoy the realism this new technique offers, many are turned off by the idea. For some, creating realistic baby dolls to represent children, or to replace a child that was lost isn't desirable. Too much realism by adding a built in beating heart or a breathing mechanism is going too far for some doll lovers' comfort.
Although creating reborn dolls is a craft that anyone can do, it can be very time consuming. It takes a lot of patience and practice to perfect the technique to produce a realistic baby doll. A disadvantage of the craft for some may be that the process is too time consuming and laborious. That alone is a good reason to pay a good price for well crafted original "reborn" dolls, made by artists who enjoy the rewards of the laborious process.
The debate about how "real" realistic baby dolls must be in order to be enjoyed may be related to the age old question, "What is the purpose of art?" Do dolls need to be realistic to be enjoyed, or is it possible to use artistic license to create dolls that transcend reality, and are enjoyed for their aesthetically pleasing qualities?
Whatever one decides about the appeal of "reborning," it is a trend that has caught on and is very popular. It is a trend that adds creativity and variety to the doll world, and as indicated by its popularity, it is making an impression on the world of dolls and doll history.
About the Author
Jeanine SG, Webmaster, Special Dolls Online. Ashton Drake Dolls reborn dolls, realistic baby dolls
art doll_0001.wmv
 |
 |
Victorian Children With Dolls Photos Postcards CD |  |
 |
US $6.71 | 7d 7h 33m |
 |
Bru Dolls Magnificent French Dolls Book | |
0 Bid | US $65.00 | 3h 48m |
 |
Antique POPPET Folk Art Primitive Doll from Kentucky Mtns Carved Wood Cloth | |
1 Bid | US $125.00 | 12h 45m |
 |
French Doll Size Chocolate BON BON Boxes Kit F 12 | |
|
US $13.50 | 21d 13h 13m |
 |
Unusual Vintage Flapper Girl w Mirror Pincushion Half Doll Art Deco LISTED MODEL | |
0 Bid | US $30.00 | 1d 5h 42m |
 |
DOLL NEWS SUMMER 1993 CHINA DOLLSGERMAN CHARACTERDOLLS AS ARTHARD PLASTIC | |
1 Bid | US $4.99 | 1d 11h 26m |
 |
Antique Papier Mache Glass Eye Little Red Riding Hood Doll | |
3 Bids | US $25.38 | 1d 11h 34m |
 |
Antique Heinrich Handwerck 1875 Bisque Doll Rare Wood Body | |
9 Bids | US $53.00 | 1d 12h 13m |
 |
Beautiful HUGE Antique Bergmann Simon Halbidg Bisque Doll 14 | |
8 Bids | US $395.00 | 1d 12h 17m |
 |
Sweet Vintage 30s Composition Doll Complete Wardrobe | |
20 Bids | US $34.09 | 1d 13h 13m |
 |
Another Vintage 30s Composition Doll Complete Wardrobe | |
10 Bids | US $23.49 | 1d 13h 17m |
 |
Vintage Composition Pretty Pigtailed Doll | |
2 Bids | US $15.55 | 1d 13h 22m |
 |
Two Antique Estate Handmade Cloth Folk Art Indian Dolls | |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 1d 13h 26m |
 |
Antique Armand Marseille 390 Doll | |
5 Bids | US $22.72 | 1d 13h 28m |
 |
Darling Vintage Felt Side Glance Lenci Doll Head | |
5 Bids | US $20.50 | 1d 13h 35m |
 |
Gorgeous Unused Papier Mache Deco Flapper Boudoir Doll Head | |
5 Bids | US $29.00 | 1d 13h 38m |
 |
CLOTH DOLLS by Polly Judd Price Guide Lots of LENCIS | |
|
US $24.99 | 1d 16h 5m |
 |
DOLL SIZE French Fashion Plates 1870s Era KIT F 7 | |
|
US $13.50 | 22d 7h |
 |
Antique Art Deco 1930s Spanish Senorita Boudoir Boudior Bed DollFab | |
5 Bids | US $41.00 | 2d 8h 2m |
 |
RARE 1912 ELLA SMITH INDESTRUCTABLE CLOTH DOLL ALABAMA BABY PAIR HAIR BARE FEET | |
10 Bids | US $705.99 | 2d 12h 20m |
 |
Izannah Walker Style Baby Doll w Antique Gown Cradle Quilt By Judi Hunziker | |
0 Bid | US $350.00 | 2d 13h 16m |
 |
2 dolls circa 1915 folk art paper ancient composition pin cussion box lot | |
0 Bid | US $30.00 | 2d 15h 36m |
 |
Rare Original Cloth Antique 1890s Emma Adams Exposition Columbian doll 15 | |
0 Bid | US $845.00 | 3d 4h 27m |
 |
Marked 27 Art Fabric Mills ORIG 1900 old antique printed cloth rag girl doll | |
6 Bids | US $17.50 | 3d 13h 11m |
 |
SCHOENHUT ANTIQUE WOOD ART DOLL ESTATE TOY COLLECTIBLE HEIRLOOM | |
0 Bid | US $250.00 | 1d 15h 42m |
 |
antique miniature oval wooden box 2 miniature frozen charlotte black white | |
|
US $39.00 | 4d 4h 30m |
 |
1920s Black Nut Head Banjo Doll LOVELEIGH Appeal w 2 1930s Cloth Dolls | |
0 Bid | US $79.99 | 4d 9h 21m |
 |
Doll Costuming Magazine 20042001 5 issues | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 4d 13h 43m |
 |
Antique Large half doll Art Deco w Wire base Cage Long Hair Marked AM | |
0 Bid | US $84.99 | 5d 6h 10m |
 |
1890s Printed cloth Geisha girl Stuffed Doll with Fan and Parasol | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 5d 9h 17m |
 |
Antique French Bleuette Bisque Doll including Trousseau Trunk Wow | |
24 Bids | US $1,200.00 | 3d 13h 44m |
 |
MINIATURE 112 SCALE CHOCOLATE BOXES KIT 15 | |
|
US $9.95 | 7d 12h 28m |
 |
ANtique vintage 1900s PRIMITIVE FOLK ART Apple Dolls | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 6d 8h 15m |
 |
NEW ADVANCED TECHNIQUES FOR ANTIQUE DOLL COSTUMING SO MUCH MORE | |
3 Bids | US $20.51 | 6d 10h 12m |
 |
Victorian Child with Dolls Art Print in Wood Gilded Frame | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 6d 11h 22m |
 |
ULTRA RARE ANTIQUE DOLL CIRCA 1878 COMPOSITE EARLY HEAD DOLL 13 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 6d 14h 3m |
 |
6 KITS IN 1 LGARRAY FRENCH DOLL TOILETRY BOXES KIT FFA | |
|
US $34.95 | 22d 9h 50m |
 |
Doll Size FRENCH TOILETRY BOXES 6 KITS IN 1 KIT A FF | |
|
US $34.95 | 22d 7h 29m |
 |
DOLL SET OF 5 FRENCH INSPIRED TOILETRY BOXES KIT F 2 | |
|
US $9.95 | 21d 16h 35m |
 |
ORIGINAL Circa 1919 Schoenhut Perfection Art Doll Catalogue | |
|
US $160.00 | 28d 8h 45m |
 |
BEAUTIFUL DOLL SIZE FRENCH TOILETRY KIT F 4 | |
|
US $10.50 | 21d 16h 52m |
 |
ART DECO GOOGLY EYED GERMAN PINCUSHION HALF DOLL POWDER COMPACT JAR BOX | |
|
US $155.00 | 28d 4h 3m |
 |
ANTIQUE BLACK AMERICANA TOPSY TURVY PRIMITIVE FOLK ART REVERSIBLE MAMMY DOLL | |
|
US $75.00 | 28d 7h 21m |
 |
Beautiful FLAPPER LADY PORCELAIN HALF DOLL Art Deco EXC | |
|
US $134.99 | 26d 13h 32m |
 |
1925 Ad Effanbee Toy Dolls Christmas Gifts Rosemary Dolly Dress Girls Playtime | |
|
US $43.95 | 29d 12h 35m |
 |
Small German Victorian Bisque Bonnet Shoulder Head Doll | |
|
US $6.30 | 29d 13h 48m |
 |
DOLL SIZE FRENCH Shop Excursion BOXES BAGS KIT F 3 | |
|
US $13.50 | 21d 14h 32m |
 |
Vintage CM Bergmann doll 2 tall | |
|
US $265.00 | 29d 5h 56m |
 |
French Fashion Plates 1870s Era For DOLLY KIT F 7 | |
|
US $13.50 | 21d 12h 12m |
 |
1913 Ad Antique A Schoenhut Wooden Dolls Children Toys Playthings Mohair Wigs | |
|
US $36.95 | 27d 14h 56m |
 |
The Art of Armand Marseille Article Pictures Information on these German Dolls | |
|
US $7.99 | 21d 11h 54m |
 |
17 Antique FRENCH PapierMâché CLOWN Factory set Eyes Vintage Costume MohairWig | |
|
US $1,402.50 | 27d 11h 29m |
 |
1929 Ad Childrens Toys Peter Pan Doll Shop Playmate ORIGINAL ADVERTISING | |
|
US $35.21 | 27d 3h 2m |
 |
Antique Dolls German French American Types Materials Etc 2 Volume Book Set | |
|
US $89.95 | 25d 19h 27m |
 |
1100 Antique Dolls 1700 1940 China Cloth Bisque Etc incl Makers Scarce Book | |
|
US $42.95 | 25d 19h 27m |
 |
19th C CIVIL WAR ERA ANTIQUE DOLL PAINTED FACE BUSTLE DRESS NC CLOTH | |
|
US $158.99 | 26d 14h 27m |
 |
LOVLY GERMAN ART DECO PERIOD PORCELAIN FLAPPER GIRL CLOTHES BRUSH DOLL w BOX | |
|
US $199.99 | 19d 14h 44m |
 |
19th C CIVIL WAR ERA ANTIQUE DOLL PAINTED FACE BUSTLE DRESS THE SOUTH NC | |
|
US $149.99 | 26d 9h 47m |
 |
Antique American Doll Types incl Makers Wood China Celluloid Cloth Etc Book | |
|
US $24.95 | 25d 7h 7m |
 |
Folk Art Girl Boy Cloth Dolls Dress Outfits Org | |
|
US $169.99 | 18d 8h 24m |
 |
HANDPAINTED ANTIQUE STYLE FOLK ART FABRIC DOLL ESTATE | |
|
US $49.95 | 18d 16h 36m |
 |
ANTIQUE VINTAGE CLOTH BLACK BOY DOLL OLD AF AMERICAN FOLK ART PIECE HAND MADE NR | |
|
US $35.00 | 18d 11h 34m |
 |
Vintage Handmade Glass Eyes 16mm Brown Judith Howe Porcelain Doll makers Estate | |
|
US $15.99 | 24d 9h 33m |
 |
Vintage Glass Eyes 24 Mm Dark Green Porcelain Doll makers Estate | |
|
US $22.99 | 24d 9h 9m |
 |
Vintage Handmade Light Blue 10mm eyes Glass Porcelain Doll makers Estate | |
|
US $15.99 | 24d 9h 4m |
 |
Vintage 20mm Grey Gray eye Handmade Glass Porcelain Doll makers Estate | |
|
US $19.99 | 24d 9h 2m |
 |
Vintage 18mm sea Green glastic eye Handmade Glass Porcelain Doll makers Estate | |
|
US $19.99 | 24d 8h 59m |
 |
Vintage 18mm Light Green glastic eye Handmade Glass Porcelain Doll makers Estate | |
|
US $19.99 | 24d 8h 58m |
 |
MAGIC OF CHARACTER DOLLS BOOK by Sabine Rein | |
|
US $29.99 | 23d 16h 24m |
 |
2 BLACK PRIMITIVE HANDMADE FOLK ART CLOTH NAPPY HEAD DOLLS BOY GIRL 17 HIGH | |
|
US $100.00 | 18d 1h 37m |
 |
Antique China Half Doll Pin Cushion With Legs KEEP SAKE Double Treasure Box | |
|
US $195.00 | 23d 11h 4m |
 |
French Fashion Doll Size Sepia Style Box SET Kit F 14 | |
|
US $9.95 | 22d 11h 19m |
 |
Antique Character German French Bisque Dolls Types Makers Marks Scarce Book | |
|
US $42.95 | 21d 10h 20m |
 |
24 1910 AMERICAN MADE GERMAN DOLL BY JAMES TAFT BISQUE ON ORIGINAL JOINTED BODY | |
0 Bid | US $700.00 | 8d 3h 33m |
 |
Set of French Fashion Doll Size Corset Boxes Kit F 10 | |
|
US $13.50 | 22d 11h 4m |
 |
Old German Bisque Frozen Charlotte Doll 125 Tiny Baby | |
|
US $10.80 | 22d 4h 30m |
 |
Antique HAND MADE Reversible CLOTH Fabric TOPSY TURVY Black White GIRL DOLL | |
|
US $24.99 | 22d 8h 4m |
 |
FREE SHIP Japanese Antiques Ichimatsu Hina Nihon no Ningyo Dolls Big Photo Book | |
|
US $105.00 | 20d 18h 47m |
 |
FRENCH FASHION DOLL SIZE PERFUMERY BOXES BAGS KIT F 5 | |
|
US $13.50 | 21d 14h 4m |
 |
Set of 3 French DOLL SIZE TOILETRY BOXES KIT F 15 | |
|
US $9.95 | 22d 5h 47m |
 |
FrToiletry Boxes for Your Larger French Doll Kit F 15 | |
|
US $8.95 | 21d 16h 5m |
 |
Antique Doll Clothes Fashions 1700 1929 incl 800 Illustrations ID Rare Book | |
|
US $69.95 | 21d 3h 19m |
 |
GORGEOUS ANTIQUE BOXED ORIG JUMEAU DOLL SIZE 11 same size JUMEAU PHONOGRAPH | |
|
US $2,695.00 | 21d 6h 5m |
 |
ANTIQUE GENUINE OLD GERMAN ART DECO Half Doll Lady RARE SIZE 1 5 8 tall | |
|
US $14.00 | 14d 4h 28m |
 |
ANTIQUE GENUINE OLD ART DECO Pin Cushion Half Doll Lady Dressed w Accessories | |
|
US $295.00 | 14d 4h 29m |
 |
ANTIQUE GENUINE OLD GERMAN ART DECO FLAPPER Half Doll Lady Open Arms | |
|
US $75.00 | 14d 4h 27m |
 |
ANTIQUE GENUINE OLD GERMAN ART DECO Half Doll Lady Open Arms | |
|
US $50.00 | 14d 4h 26m |
 |
ANTIQUE GENUINE OLD GERMAN ART DECO Half Doll Lady Dancer | |
|
US $30.00 | 14d 4h 25m |
 |
2 Tiny 1 or 125 Frozen Charlotte German Bisque Doll | |
|
US $17.09 | 11d 16h 28m |
 |
ANTIQUE GENUINE OLD GERMAN ART DECO Half Doll Lady DUTCH GIRL Open Arms | |
|
US $55.00 | 14d 4h 24m |
 |
2pg Simon Halbigs HEIDI Doll Article Color Illust B1 | |
|
US $4.79 | 20d 7h 56m |
 |
Antique Character Bisque Dolls German French American Makers Dates Etc Book | |
|
US $42.95 | 18d 6h 11m |
 |
4 part Grace Drayton Paper Cloth Doll Article LIFE AND ART OF Goff Dowling a1 | |
|
US $9.60 | 13d 5h 6m |
 |
Antique Vintage Doll Collectible Inventory Software | |
|
US $39.95 | 19d 4h 27m |
 |
6 ½ Bisque FLAPPER HALF DOLL c1920 Jointed Arms BUXOM | |
|
US $295.00 | 18d 10h 2m |
 |
Antique Toys Dolls Games 1903 14 Paris France Toy Catalog Reprint Scarce Book | |
|
US $39.95 | 17d 4h 56m |
 |
Antique Cloth Rag Dolls 900 Photos Makers Marks Dates Etc Scarce Book | |
|
US $42.95 | 17d 4h 29m |
 |
Antique Dolls German French American – Bisque China Wooden Kewpies Etc Book | |
|
US $69.95 | 17d 4h 20m |