1860s Porcelain Doll Head

3D Model

This porcelain doll head was found during CAP excavations of a historic privy on campus in 2016. The remarkably complete doll head dates to the 1860s when this specific hair style, called a flat-top, was very popular. Due to the era when the doll was manufactured, she was given the name ‘Mabel’ which was a popular named in the 1860s.

The rest of the doll was not recovered; only the porcelain doll head was found although the doll likely also had porcelain arms and legs at one point.

Unlike the other models created so far, the model was created using a structured light scanner using an Artec Space Spider. Ben Hartwig with Delscan in Rochester Hills, Michigan made a flawless model of Mabel using the structured light scanner which allowed him to overcome obstacles commonly encountered in photogrammetry such shiny object.

For more infomation on Mabel, visit this 2016 CAP blog post: http://campusarch.msu.edu/?p=4104