Explore the cultural power of dolls in Dolls Beyond Play by Erick DuPree—a groundbreaking study tracing dolls from ancient artifacts to modern collectibles. Blending history, psychology, and gender studies, this book reveals dolls as vital tools of identity, memory, and meaning.
Adult men collecting dolls may seem unusual, but it's often a profound act of healing. How do dolls help men grieve, reclaim lost identities, and challenge rigid masculinity through care and memory.
Discover the rise, fall, and revival of the Art Doll Movement—from its 1970s origins to today's niche renaissance. Explore one-of-a-kind dolls as sculpture, identity, and storytelling, featuring icons like McKinley, Wiley, Bychkova, and celebrity collectors like Demi Moore.
Explore the legacy of artist and author Wendy Lawton, whose handcrafted porcelain dolls brought literature, faith, and history to life. From Little Women to Daughters of the Faith, Lawton’s timeless creations continue to inspire collectors around the world.
Explore the handmade histories of Shaker, Amish, and African American rag dolls. Discover how these simple cloth dolls reflect deep cultural values, resilience, and memory—revealing stories of tradition, representation, and love stitched into every seam. A must-read for doll lovers and historians.
The legacy of 19th-century French fashion dolls from Bru and Jumeau. Explore their history, artistry, and cultural impact, plus tips for identifying originals vs. reproductions. A must-read guide for collectors, historians, and anyone fascinated by antique dolls.
Remembering Dianna Effner, beloved doll artist and NIADA member, whose lifelike creations and teaching legacy touched collectors worldwide. From Heroines of the Fairytale Forest to her sculpting school, her work continues to inspire love, artistry, and childhood wonder.
Explore the boom and bust of the mass-produced collectible doll industry from the 1980s to 2000s. From Ashton-Drake to Franklin Mint, discover how limited editions, TV hype, and artist branding created a market bubble—and what it means for doll collectors today.
Explore the cultural history of dolls from an anthropologist's perspective. This essay reveals how handmade and folk dolls serve as powerful tools of memory, identity, and human connection—bridging past and present through play, ritual, and material culture.
Little Ladies: Victorian Fashion Dolls and the Feminine Ideal explores how 19th-century dolls served as tools of gender training and socialization. Beneath the silks and lace lies a powerful story of class, empire, and the making of the “proper” woman—stitched in miniature.
A tribute to retired doll artist Monika Mechling, whose haunting porcelain figures captured beauty, longing, and feminine complexity. Through personal reflection and artist interviews, this piece explores her legacy and the emotional power of dolls as sculptural art.
Discover the golden age of artist dolls from 1980–2000—a vibrant era when sculptors like Nancy Wiley and Lisa Lichtenfels redefined dolls as fine art. Explore how new materials, celebrity collectors, and galleries like CFM fueled a movement that still inspires today.