Antique wax doll in Derby auction house

An antique wax doll that has remained in the same family since it was given as christening gift over 150 years ago is set to be sold in Derbyshire later this month with an estimate of £200 to £300.

The doll, made in 1866, was brought into Hansons Auctioneers in a mundane, rectangular box, said auctioneer Charles Hanson. “Dolls like this were made by pouring wax into a mould. The benefit of working in wax for early doll makers was that the wax could be tinted to make beautiful, realistic skin tones.

“However, wax can be fragile when subjected to temperature change, so other more practical materials superseded it.”

Charles said that the wax doll was made in England, has piercing blue eyes and blonde hair. She is in good condition and dressed in a contemporary dress with pink silk waist ribbon and original red shoes.

The doll will be sold in the auction house’s Toys, Trains, Railwayana, Dolls and Teddies auction on February 22.