If you’ve been collecting dolls for any time at all, or if you’ve ever collected anything, you’ve probably heard the “provenance”. Provenance refers to an items history - where it was made, who has owned it, where it has been, etc. For some collectibles, provenance is less important, but for an antique bisque doll, it can make a big difference.
A doll’s recorded history usually begins when it comes into the hands of a collector for the first time. The collector will usually record who they got it from and when and where the purchase was made. If the collector is the doll’s original owner, then the information is usually limited to the doll’s manufacturer and perhaps the date of purchase. Some dolls pass from collector to collector over many years and thus have a long, robust history that comes along with them.
So why is provenance so important? Well, for many reasons. First, a doll with a long history of passing from one collection to another is more likely to be authentic and may come with information on an appraisal that’s already been done. This can be useful in determining the value of the doll, even if the information is a bit out of date.
Putting aside all the materialistic advantages to knowing an antique doll’s provenance, a doll that comes with a story to tell is always a welcome addition. Sure that old Jumeau Bebe is pretty, and probably worth a good bit, but the doll you’ll tell people about most is the doll with the most interesting story. That’s the true value of provenance.
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