Presented May 16, 2023

While porcelain dolls were used as playthings before the early 1900s, given the ease with which these can be broken, and the sharpness of the pieces, it is not recommended that these be given to children today as toys. Instead, these make excellent collectibles for adults and children to enjoy, perhaps in a cabinet or on a shelf. 

Our reproduction dolls are made to the highest standard of quality and adherence to historical accuracy. From wigs to soles, our reproductions give you the real experience of how these little pieces of history might have looked in their own time, right out of the box.

Celia and John Desmond. 

John has been collecting watches for longer than he cares to remember. The first one, which he still has, was an English pocket watch from 1876. It has since been joined by hundreds more, ranging from the 18th century to the present day. John does a lot of work in refurbishing and restoring these beautiful old pieces. He is now offering many fine watches from this collection at Tradition Dolls and Watches.

Celia Desmond is an accomplished doll artist, having won the top international award from Doll Artisan Guild - the Millie, and the Judge's Choice award, plus top ribbons. She has painted and dressed over one hundred porcelain dolls of top quality. Her dolls are available from the shop Tradition in Oakville Ontario or online at traditiondolls.com.

She has a BSc Math, and MEng. She worked in industry for over twenty years, with dolls as a hobby. She has taught project management at three universities.