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COLLECTING NIPPON PORCELAIN BY ART TEDESCHI OF ECOLLECTICS

For practical purposes, the word "Nippon" refers to the many
different types of Japanese porcelain manufactured for export
between 1891 and 1921. Despite its popularity among collectors,
even today many people remain unaware of its history, beauty,
and diversity.

Beginning in March 1891, American trade laws required that the
country of origin be indicated "in legible English words" on
goods entering the U.S. from overseas. The vast majority of
these Japanese porcelain goods were therefore marked "Nippon,"
the name used by the Japanese people when referring to their
country. However, in 1921, the U.S. government reversed its
earlier position, and decided that "Nippon" was actually a
Japanese word, and that all such future imports must identify
the country of origin as "Japan."

As a result, we've been left with a 30-year treasure chest full
of beautiful "Nippon" era porcelain, which has been extensively
documented. Collectors today benefit from the painstaking work
of various authors, who have meticulously identified over 340
marks, or backstamps, found on Nippon porcelain. When combined
with the available information on Japanese manufacturers,
including design techniques, advertising literature, and related
historical data, what emerges is an invaluable body of reference
material.

Perhaps the most appealing aspect of Nippon era porcelain is the
variety of choices it offers collectors. There were several
unique design styles produced through various techniques. One
might consider collecting cobalt pieces embellished with heavy
gold trim, or those with the highly sought-after "tapestry"
finish, or Wedgwood items (similar to their English namesakes),
or "moriage" pieces accented with heavily applied trim, or
pieces executed in the "molded-in-relief" style, having an
almost three dimensional quality to them.

Another option might be to collect pieces decorated with the
same pattern, scenes, or themes on them. Popular designs include
those such as "dark woodland," "man on a camel," and the
"moriage flying swans." "Portrait" pieces are also highly
prized. Items were also specifically manufactured for export to
countries such as England and Holland. As a result, they were
decorated accordingly, and today you can find pieces depicting
thatched cottages and English hunt scenes, as well as windmills,
wooden shoes, and people in traditional Dutch attire. A vast
array of Nippon era items also reflect a real fascination with
the American Indian, and such items are much sought-after today.
Then again, some collectors just might want to stick with
similar "types" of items, such as vases, hanging plaques,
humidors, ashtrays, chocolate sets, inkwells, dolls, or vanity
items, just to name a few.

In closing, let me suggest that Nippon collecting probably has
something to satisfy just about any taste. The International
Nippon Collectors Club (INCC) website, found at
http://www.nipponcollectorsclub.com, might be a good place to
start learning more about this wonderful porcelain. Good luck,
and happy hunting!

We invite you to visit Art's shop online at eCollectics.

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COLLECTING DOLLS BY DOROTHY MCGONAGLEOF THE JOURNAL OF ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES

There have been dolls as long as there have been people. Dolls
have served a variety of purposes, from religious
representations to simple play dolls. They reflect remarkably
accurately the social and cultural history of their makers and
their countries of origin.

The earliest dolls brought to America from Europe are English
wooden dolls. However, only the most affluent would have such a
doll. Many of the "homegrown" dolls of America's first two
centuries, simple wooden dolls made by a father's hand or rag
dolls from a mother's needle have not survived. However, by the
nineteenth century, advances in technology coupled with a
burgeoning middle class and a change in attitude toward
childhood as a special time in life resulted in dolls from
Europe arriving in this country in unprecedented numbers. By the
end of the century, American women were already at the forefront
of collecting dolls as a hobby, an interest that expanded in the
twentieth century to the formation of doll clubs.

The first organized group of doll collectors was incorporated in
1936 as the Doll Collectors of America. Meeting monthly in the
Boston area, these stalwart women recognized the historical
significance of dolls and, being dedicated to research and
education, mandated for themselves publication on a regular
basis. Their early works, The Doll Collectors' Manuals, long out
of print, are even today prized for their valuable content.

Throughout the twentieth century, other doll clubs were forming
across the country. In the 1940s they banded together under the
umbrella of the United Federation of Doll Clubs, today numbering
nearly 15,000 members, with doll clubs in Canada, Europe and
Australia represented in the roster. Regional meetings and the
annual conventions of this organization provide an unparalleled
opportunity to study dolls of every material and age, from the
earliest examples to the most modern of artistic creations. To
attend such an event is the see the many facets of the
doll-collecting world.

A brief chronology of commercially produced antique dolls found
in America would begin with English wooden or wax dolls, German
papier mache and glazed china or unglazed parian dolls. By the
1870s bisque dolls had taken precedence over all others, and the
beautiful French Fashion dolls were not only illustrative of the
splendor of the French couturier's hand and industry, but were a
child's plaything as well. German competition with bisque dolls
was strong, and led to examples from fine firms such as Kestner,
Simon & Halbig, and Handwerck. The French dolls were luxury
items when produced and were made in smaller quantities than the
German, and remain the more expensive dolls today.

By the turn of the century, cloth dolls and American composition
were gaining in popularity and today the numbers of collectors
who favor these dolls is increasing, driving prices for examples
in mint, crisp condition ever upward. By the middle of the
twentieth century, the new material, plastic, began to be used
for dolls, and within a decade had completely displaced
composition. These dolls represent a whole different arena of
collecting.

The collectibles market for dolls now seems two-fold: dolls
initially made for play but bought as a collectible and thus are
mint, and dolls made solely for the collector. Some of these
are dolls made for costume's sake, and as such reflect our time
with a grace and panache reflective of the French fashion and
her period of glory. Barbie, now 40 something, could serve as
quite a guide to the end of the twentieth century, herself alone
reflecting the changes in costume, attitudes and opportunities
available to women, from her early years as homemaker, shopper,
nurse, teacher, ballerina, perpetual prom queen, businesswoman
to doctor, jet pilot, astronaut and presidential candidate.
Interest in dolls is extraordinary, and one can be sure that
many an hour will be brightened by dolls for today's collectors
and the collectors of tomorrow.

For complete article with fabulous photos of dolls in full color
please visit The Journal of Antiques.

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