Porcelain 'Horror Doll Twins' - AGE, Value?

They are about 13cm tall (5 inches), ceramic and were brought from France.
The arms and legs are attached with rusted-out metallic wire.

 

OK...they are weird!! I've certainly seen similar ones...but those were cute.

 

Awww They are cute little guys! They just have chubby cheeks.

 

I also think these jointed dolls with painted eyes and lips, and molded hair are cute. The eyes are painted aren't they rather than glass eyes? Is that dirt that can be cleaned or is that permanent staining? Are there any markings on them? Manufacturer's markings are usually on the back up near the neck. As dirty as they are, I can't tell if they might be bisque?

When you says "bought from France" do you mean "bought in France" or "brought from France?" Hopefully those more knowledgeable about dolls will chime in with help.

--- Susan

 

From the 'drawn and quartered' part of the centuries?

 

The eyes are painted and the dolls are non-glazed, aka bisque?

I haven't found any markings on them.

I bought the dolls from a store that sells french shabby chic stuff, so I assume the dolls are french. If not, at least they were sold there.

 

Horror Doll Twins.

May I ask why you describe them as such? They don't resemble any "horror dolls" I know of.

Does the wire holding them together need replacing?

Also you say "twins." Any special reason? I would think there could be a few hundred exactly like them.

 

Some people find dolls as creepy as clowns.

I would think they were called "twins" by the OP because they happen to have two of them, and not 100s.

 

I'd question the assumption that they are French-the reason you give doesn't convince me. Not that it matters much though.

Please give them names, and please call the left one "Tina."

 

I'm happy you think they are cute. And agree that clowns aren't scary.

I'll take a census on whether or not they need a bath. IMHO they'd at least smell better.

Messi, I know it won't happen in mammals, but what would you call 100 identical children all born on the same day - or same week?

 

Chuck that idea right now...

 

Freakin' freaky?

 

The right one is Celeste.

Spring, you are beginning to worry me! LOL!

 

Are you answering the question of 100 mammalians in one week?

Or are you offering names for the dirty twins above - Freak n' Freaky?

Either way you made me smile broadly. Thanks.

 

Borrowed items for educational use, showing what is commonly considered HORROR DOLLS.

 

And I notice one of them is a clown! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!

 

Ya....like I'd ever entertain the thought of bringing those in the house....or the city !

 

Does anyone else think they look like Charlie MacCarthy

I agree with spring - Not French.
I believe this type of bisque doll was originally made in Germany, later copied by Japan.

 

Gee, old Charlie did breeze through my mine also! If this was bisque, I thought probably German that was why I questioned the OP (Original Poster) what they meant about France - bought or brought.

If that is permanent stain on the dolls rather then easily brushed off, washable dirt, they may have been buried in the ground. According to the following website, the antique doll market is being flooded with dolls made from antique parts that the writer calls "Frankendolls."

"The antique doll market is being flooded with what I call "Frankendolls," new dolls cobbled together out of old excavated parts. Since the reunification of Germany, collectors and dealers have been excavating doll parts and figurine fragments from the massive dumps behind the former doll factories in the Thuringia area of Germany, such as Hertwig and Company and Limbach. Some dealers are piecing together these pieces, creating new dolls out of old parts. I call these creations "Frankendolls," because they are made up of buried parts and brought back to "life."

Because these doll parts have been buried some of the parts are badly stained.

"...the excavated pieces often have stains, rust, and dings from being buried in the ground for decades that even cleaning, bleaching, and recoloring cannot entirely remove."

Now in all honesty, I don't think these dolls are the so-called "Frankendolls" because they are of good proportions and seem to have matching limbs that fit well with the body.

"Because the arms and legs come from different dolls, the match and fit between the body and limbs are poor."

http://bawdybisques.blogspot.com/p/the-curse-of-frankendoll.html

Maybe a dedicated doll website like the following may have more help for you:
http://dollreference.com/
http://www.nadda.org/
http://community.ebay.com/t5/Dolls/bd-p/218
http://collectdolls.about.com/od/dollprofiles/p/bisquedolls.htm

--- Susan