bisque dolls like the one you discribe generally date to between 1880-1920.
Many are marked. Try checking under the dolls hair as on the back of the
head was a common place to put the maker's mark.

Toys * Dolls* Automata. Marks and Labels. Gwen White 1975 B T Batford Ltd
London is a good reference.

Gaye

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Siegel <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, 18 January 2000 9:54
Subject: doll's head


>I'd appreciate any suggestions (or references) on how to go about dating
>a doll's head which came out of a shovel test hole over the weekend.  The
>site itself (in southern Greenville County, SC) reportedly dates to the
>1830s,
>but, aside from three pieces from jugs, there is as yet little material
>from the
>19th century.
>
>It is a bisque doll's head, about one inch long, with wavy hair.  The hair
>itself is tinted yellow.  The head is broken off at the neck, so the head
>is
>all we have.  I assume the neck itself would have been sewn onto a stuffed
>cloth body.
>
>You may wish to respond to me directly at <[log in to unmask]>.
>
>Many thanks,
>
>Brian Siegel
>