Rochard Dolls

The first Rochard dolls were made about 1868 by our namesake, Anton Edmond Rochard, and very few were ever produced. Most are in museums today, including one which had been owned by Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco. Some sources have claimed that as many as 24 examples are known to exist, however the true number is likely to be about half that. Stanhope MicroWorks, owner and stanhope restorer Michael Sheibley, has restored 3 examples of these early dolls and evaluated a fourth which is still in need of proper restoration and now housed in the Barry Museum at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

The Rochard dolls we make today are, and shall be, among the rarest dolls made in the 21st Century. They are certainly among the most stunning and intriguing dolls ever to be made. Our target is to painstakingly produce circa 20 examples each year. This year we have decided to revive the smallest of the Rochard dolls also known as the Petite Rochard. She is a 15" tall porcelain bisque production made in the exact size and look of the original. We have named her "Julia" after the collector "Julie" who first entrusted us with the restoration of her doll. Each doll we produce will be documented in a book that we will offer for sale after the yearly production ceases. The book will contain detailed photos and facts as they pertain to each individual doll.

This years production of Rochard dolls will all be individually made by Michael Sheibley & Jennie Sykes, owner and resident artist at Porcelain Classics, certified Grand Master of Doll Making with the Doll Artisan Guild.

To learn more about the antique dolls we have examined and restored please visit our blog The Real Rochard Revealed