Kämmer & Reinhardt

Black baby doll, Kämmer & Reinhardt, 1909. Museum no. Misc.423-1985 (click image for larger version)

True baby dolls were not made until the 20th century. Prior to this most dolls were called baby dolls but actually represented children and adults.

Kämmer & Reinhardt were one of the first manufacturers to make baby dolls. They called their baby dolls 'Character Dolls' and registered them as such in 1909. While Kämmer & Reinhardt made the bodies, they bought the distinctive heads from another manufacturer called Simon & Halbig.

This baby has a bisque head. The back of the head bears the mould number 100 and the marks of both manufacturers - a common practice in doll-making. The body of the doll is made from composition. Composition is a pulp usually of wood or paper that is pressed into moulds and then dried. This process became popular with doll makers as it was cheap and durable.  The baby's body would have been put together and then painted, with special attention on the facial features.