Doll

In the middle of the 19th century, English and German manufacturers perfected the use of an unglazed ceramic called parian ware. The material's appearance inspired manufacturers to name it after the fine white marble found on the Greek island of Paros. The porcelain body produced a pale complexion for the dolls that some among the high-born thought fashionable. The ceramic was easy to work into a mold to create intricate details of hair styles and hair accessories, jewelry, and clothing details. These doll heads reflected the beauty and delicacy of what Americans at the time considered the ideal female.