Buying and collecting antique dolls is extremely popular here in the UK, and it has been for many years. For people who started collecting these dolls back in the sixties and seventies, they may well be owners of a substantially valuable collection. Antique dolls that are older are likely to be even more valuable. The older the better when it comes to the potential value. How rare the doll is and, of course, the condition, will also impact how much they are worth. There was an antique doll collection that fetched over £250,000 at an auction in Newbury.
Where people have in their collection an antique doll that is worth a lot of money, then it is important to protect it. A great way to do this is to house the doll in a frame. This is not only a great way to protect the antique doll for the long term, but it is also a fantastic way to show it off to family and friends when displaying the frame in a prominent position in their home.
How to frame antique dolls
Possibly the best way to frame antique dolls is to house them in a shadow box frame. This is because these types of frames are deep enough to house the dolls, and they can be custom-made to suit the number and size of them. It would be prudent to include UV-protective glass or acrylic to prevent fading. An interesting add-on is the potential to include a background or props inside the frame that are associated with the period/date that the doll was made. This way, it then doubles as a miniature time capsule. This could, for example, include vintage wallpaper, a newspaper clipping, a specific fabric that was popular at the time, such as linen or velvet, old books, mini sewing items (thimble and scissors) and a small glass perfume bottle. It's important that these items don't overshadow the doll. For this reason, it would be best if each item is smaller in size than the doll, and that overcrowding with too many props is also avoided.
Another option is an acrylic display case frame. These enable you to have a 360-degree view of the enclosed antique doll, which can be somewhat awesome to display, especially when the frame is placed on a rotating display stand. These are usually metal or wood frames, and they offer excellent protection.
There is also the option to house the antique doll or dolls in a custom wood-framed case. These can be handcrafted and have glass panes, possibly with drawers or lights. They can add antique charm and blend well with vintage decor.
There are some all-important preservation tips to bear in mind, whichever option you choose. Firstly, it is essential that you keep the frame away from direct sunlight as UV rays can fade fabric and paint. You should also keep the frame away from heat sources such as radiators and fireplaces. It's also important that you keep control of the humidity, preferably to around ~50% humidity. Too much moisture can lead to mould or degradation.