Doll Stands - Buying Guide
Collecting dolls is a popular hobby but in order to display them properly you need to use a good doll stand. In this article, we’ll review some of the basics of doll stands and how to select the best doll stand for your beloved collectible dolls.
Guide Continued Below…
There are a number of different doll stands that you can choose from, including ones made for a specific brand of doll such as Barbie Doll Stands or Madam Alexander Doll Stands. There are fancy doll stands made from walnut and other fine woods as well as simple metal and vinyl stands. However, there are some basic characteristics we can look at to use to select the best stand.
The standard doll stand that you’ll encounter will have a base plate with a smaller diameter hoop 8 to 14 inches above it. These will work well with most small to medium sized dolls with regular sized waists, especially fashion dolls like Barbie dolls.
For dolls with a wider waist or other features that change the center of balance, there are wide doll stands which have a wider base plate and an upper hoop that is closer in size to the base. This allows them to accommodate an oversized or oddly dimensioned doll. They’re also often used with teddy bears.
Another common style of doll stand is the saddle stand. This stand fits between the legs of the doll and has tabs that hold the figure in place. You will commonly see these stands for porcelain dolls and others that feature long dresses that can hide the stand thus giving the illusion that the doll is free standing. They’re also used for some fashion dolls with very narrow waists.
Beyond this there are specialty doll stands, often made by a doll manufacturer for their line of dolls. These are often pricey but often provide the best display experience for a particular brand of dolls.
One thing that is important to remember when buying a doll stand is that you should select the largest stand that you can that will hold the doll securely. Too small of a stand will not be stable and may result in a fall and damage. Too large and the doll won’t be held securely. Another factor to consider is that all metal should be covered with vinyl or other protective coating to avoid rust stains or other discoloration from happening. Make sure you choose the doll stand that will protect your collectible doll the best.
I have a small doll collection myself and I keep looking at Goodwill for stands. Some days I am lucky, others not. I have even been known to buy a ratty looking doll on a stand just for the stand to use with one of my own dolls in my collection. I just give the ratty doll right back to Goodwill!
Yes, you are so right. An entire doll collection can get ruined by being stored improperly. The right size stand for each doll is so important, and so is making sure the metal is covered so no rust occurs.
I should probably get my dolls out of their box - and onto some stands - but then I would need somewhere to house the doll stands: are you doing a review on doll stand houses soon? Lisise
When packing and moving your life from one side of the world to another its important to consider how to pack items such as collections includes dolls, their doll stands and doll display cases. Having the right packing will save your precious dolls stands from damage in transit
A very nice guide for buying stands. I specialize in reborn dolls, which myself and many other prefer to keep in model bassinets or similar displays.