What is it about china dolls that is so endearing? Perhaps it is their sweetly expressive faces, the tactile sensation of their graceful limbs and the subtle weight of their bodies. They have witnessed the childhoods of yesteryear; riding in wagon trains headed out West, admiring the jewel toned gowns of lively balls and lending a touch of wonder and beauty to the day-to-day home life and trials of the times - all the while, cradled in the arms of a doting child…

At the Carmel Doll Shop, we have a deep appreciation for these dolls, and are pleased to introduce “Catherine,” an exquisite artist made china. Her mold was made using a rare doll created by the German firm Eberlin which was lent to us by china doll expert, Kathy Turner and masterfully realized, here by doll artist Carl Armstrong. Details of her finely rendered features include blue eyes with delicate coral shading and gracefully arched brows, delicately blushed cheeks, and coral red lips. Her elaborate, molded and painted hairstyle features waves of coiffed golden hair covered in back by a black snood which is edged in ruffles of a vivid, old fashioned pink that forms a crown-like peak at the front of her head and falls to her shoulders in layers of ruffles. She is on a firmly stuffed cotton body with graceful, bisque lower arms and shapely lower legs that terminate in heeled, shoe style feet.

When it comes to costuming this beauty, look no further than the “Kits and Patterns” section of the boutique for a complete kit to create her gorgeous silk gown entitled, “Rose et Noir.” This gorgeous 1860’s gown was created by Jackie Chimpky and the pattern could be used with a variety of fabrics allowing you to create an entire wardrobe for Catherine.

https://www.carmeldollshopboutique.com/patterns/rose-et-noir-kit

‍Back of shoulderplate incised: Fancy 2026

Measures: 13 3/4” tall

$395.00

*Please find a free download for shoes for Catherine here: https://nectarine-dodecahedron-n6jn.squarespace.com/config/pages/64e9269d3d2fc621d4870c9a#:~:text=https://www.carmeldollshopboutique.com/adelina%2Dand%2Dalbert/making%2Dthe%2Dshoes%2Dfor%2Dadelina%2Dalbert

Copyright: Carl Armstrong and Carmel Doll Shop for The Grovian Doll Museum, 2026. All rights reserved, not for reproduction in part or whole.