Historical information

This doll was produced in Germany in the early 20th century, a peak period for high-quality European doll manufacturing. The factory mark and inscription link it to the Heubach Köppelsdorf company, known for exporting dolls to English-speaking markets, including Australia. The finely detailed features and costuming suggest it was intended as a keepsake or display doll, possibly given as a special gift for a child or collected by adults. Dolls like this were common in middle-class households and often became heirlooms, passed down through generations.
This doll was a gift to Alma KORBER for her 6th birthday by her grandfather Heinrich Ernst HAUSTORFER (1835-1921). The doll retains her original clothes.
It was made by Ernst HEUBACH's porcelain factory in Koppelsdorf, Germany. They made bisque doll heads on kid or composition bodies.

Physical description

A vintage porcelain-headed doll dressed in a cream-coloured, ankle-length, lace overlay dress with long sleeves, and a soft pink bonnet. The doll has painted facial features, including blue eyes, detailed eyebrows, and red lips. The body is made of cloth, with stitched white upper stockings and dark brown felt lower legs. The feet are fitted with miniature black shoes with small metal buckles.
Bisque shoulder head, single stroke painted eyebrows, sleep eyes, painted eyelashes, open mouth, jointed kid body, crocheted dress, bonnet and one shoe is missing.

Inscriptions & markings

The back of the doll's shoulder plate is inscribed:
"1904 1/0"
"Made in Germany"
Includes a horseshoe maker's mark, which is attributed to Heubach Köppelsdorf, a well-known German doll manufacturer
These markings suggest the doll was manufactured around 1904, likely for export.

Horseshoe mark
1903 - 7/0
Made in Germany