In Poor Taste?

[fleacollar999]

I was given two porcelain dolls by my friend's mother. They belonged to her mother, who passed away. They're both very nice, and I like them a lot, but I want to repaint their faces. Would that be in poor taste? I don't think my friend's mother would care (though of course I would ask her first), though this reminds me of the time I advised DollyKim to sell her NKOTB dolls to someone who would love them as they are instead of repainting them. Am I being a hypocrite?? (Ouch! Right in the Morals!)

Any feedback is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[famedglory]

The following advise is only based on the fact that you consider this a moral thing to start with. I think that might depend on how much this woman is attached to them(although she game them to you, so how attached can she be?) and the condition of their current face paint. If there's currently any chips or fading or such then I see absolutely no problem in a repaint. You could almost consider it a restore depending on what you're doing.

Personally I would just paint them and not feel bad. She gave you the dolls so that you could enjoy them, and if repainting them will make you enjoy them more, then that is exactly what you should do. I mean, don't smash them with a hammer or anything, but they're yours to do with as you want.

[fleacollar999]

Unfortunately, these dolls are pristine. I don't think they've seen much life outside of their boxes, poor girls.

[Linteia]

If they're pretty old and pristine, I personally wouldn't alter them without at least checking to see if they're valuable. If they aren't really worth keeping unmodified and the lady who gave them to you is okay with it then there's really no reason not to.

[Trethowan]

I agree with the comment above. Like those old 1950's dolls Mom gave me. I'd not re-do their faces because they're worth money as is. The financial bit aside, here's my thought.

It's a piece of plastic/porcelain/vinyl. Paint it, don't paint it, blow it up, whatever. It's yours. Do what you want with it. It's an object. Use it and enjoy it. Or sell it and enjoy the proceeds.

[Llwynog]

I didn't think porcelain dolls were repaintable.

[DollyKim]

If they're rare and in great shape don't repaint, porcelain collectors want as original as possible. If they're dime a dozen or looking like they need some loving paint away. Either way use it. We just found out the "safe and dry" tent in the back yard the goats have been climbing on has been leaking all these months covering everything inside, including many of my old kids books, in mold.

And I still have that second set of nude NKOTB dolls, the puppies turned everything upside down and piddled on it so I haven't had much time for dolls.

[famedglory]

I didn't think porcelain dolls were repaintable.

Yup! You can treat them just like resin in many ways. They're just more fragile and don't yellow in sunlight.

[happyknot]

If they're pretty old and pristine, I personally wouldn't alter them without at least checking to see if they're valuable. If they aren't really worth keeping unmodified and the lady who gave them to you is okay with it then there's really no reason not to.

This is what I was thinking also. Personally I would ask the woman how she felt about it because she might have given you those objects believing you would also see them as an investment rather than a canvas.

[EAB]

If they're antiques, you will ruin them if you repaint them. If they're mass-produced, it will depend on how old they are. You should do some research to find out who made them and when, what their resale value is, etc. f you discover that they're not very valuable and you still want to repaint them, you should certainly check with your friend first. You don't want to hurt her feelings.