A Doll Who Outlived History | Antique Wax Doll, c. 1845–1860

✨ Welcome to my channel, Mochipoupée!
I restore antique dolls and vintage toys and share DIY techniques.
Video Chapters
0:14 — Initial Examination and Undressing
9:00 — Stabilizing Fragile Textiles
14:54 — Supporting the Original Body Structure
20:50 — Cleaning, Testing, and Preserving the Limbs
27:31 — Cleaning and Conserving the Wax Face
43:34 — Reassembling the Body
48:03 — Sewing and Dressing the Doll
1:00:00 — Final Reveal
This antique wax doll was created circa 1845–1860, a period when wax dolls were produced primarily in France and rarely branded. At the time, makers were artisans rather than companies, and anonymity was part of the tradition rather than a loss of attribution.

Now approximately 180 years old, this doll has survived major chapters of history — revolutions, wars, economic depressions, and social upheavals — passing quietly from hand to hand while the world changed around her.

When she came into my care, her original textiles were extremely fragile and actively disintegrating. To preserve the integrity of the original materials, the historic fabric was carefully stabilized with 100% silk, chosen for its compatibility with 19th-century textiles and its reversibility. No original elements were removed or discarded.

Because the original clothing could no longer safely serve its function, I created a period-accurate reconstructed outfit, copying the original as closely as possible in cut, proportion, and technique. The new dress was made entirely by hand using 100% silk and silk thread, with undergarments constructed from 100% cotton and lace, reflecting materials appropriate to the mid-19th century. All sewing was done by hand, following historical methods.

This was not a modernization or cosmetic restoration. It was an act of preservation, intended to allow the doll to survive intact for the next century.

Whenever I acquire a doll, I am never indifferent to her. Spending weeks with an object — observing its damage, its transformation, and its quiet resilience — creates a bond. Over time, I begin to imagine the child who once played with her, the hands that dressed her, the rooms she lived in, and the stories she silently witnessed. Preservation becomes personal.

This doll was a Christmas gift from my daughter, a gesture of love and understanding for a mother who believes deeply in preserving old things and honoring the lives attached to them. My role is only to be her temporary guardian — to ensure that she remains safe for future generations, whether that means being passed down to future grandchildren or eventually entering a museum or educational collection.

She has already outlived history.
My hope is that she will continue to do so.

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