In Praise of Regional Costume Dolls By Loretta Nardone (All dolls and items from the author's collection.) A collection of dolls in regional costumes. T he study of dolls in regional folk costumes is an interesting and rewarding project for collectors. It is an area that inspires not only research of the doll itself but the country of origin, clothing, and customs of the people the doll represents. The growth of travel from the mid-nineteenth to twentieth century fostered an interest in collecting regional dolls. Large quantities of dolls in ethnic costumes from practically every country were produced and marketed to tourists and bought home as souvenirs. Many a collector's interest in dolls was ignited by these little world ambassadors. European doll companies were producing dolls dressed in regional costumes in the 1900s. Companies manufacturing antique bisque and china dolls in France and Germany produced exquisitely detailed dressed dolls in folk costumes. Favorite subjects were dolls representing the various French provinces. The German manufacturing companies were especially prolific in producing a variety of bisque costume dolls. Simon & Halibig, Gebüder Heubach and Swaine & Co. all made dolls in folk costumes. These firms also sent undressed dolls to other countries to be dressed in provincial costumes. The dolls were much more costly than their homemade counterparts. 36 WINTER 2021