I found tassel dolls purely by accident on Ebay doing a search for bride dolls.  I have a passion for brides and for angels. 

Like many empty nesters, we have a smaller home now, but I sure didn't want to give up my hobby of doll collecting for lack of space.  I have more than 70 brides alone, not to mention probably twice or three times that many other angels and dolls. Finding tassel dolls was a pure blessing!  They are simply beautiful, but do not take up nearly as much space as the traditional doll.  Some of my dolls are as large as 30 inches or more and with clothing take up a goodly amount of space. Tassels give you all the detail and splendor but take up VERY little space with most being 12-17 inches tall and are very thin and delicate though some gowns are large.  Now I don't have to move out of my house because my collection is pushing us out the door.

Tassel dolls do not have legs. They are usually a porcelain or resin sculpted torso and head with a beautiful face, graceful arms and hands and are displayed by inserting a metal rod on a decorative base into the bottom of the torso or by hanging them by a loop usually included.  Once in place, you cannot tell they have no legs as their gowns cover the rod.  When buying a tassel doll, be sure to find out if it comes with a stand if that is how you plan to display your doll.  Also, you may want to find out if the stand is permanently inserted or if you can remove the stand to hang the doll if that is how you wish to display it.

Tassel dolls are reasonably priced and because they are so light the shipping costs are normally quite low.  Many come in lovely gift boxes as well. 

The varieties of tassel dolls are vast. They come in practically every character you can think of from Victorian ladies to brides to angels to faries to Red Hat Ladies and many  more. There are even tassel doll ceiling fan pulls.

They are not suitable for young children because of the tiny beading, metal rod stands and size however for adults they are just exquisite!  Their outfits rival those of dolls costing 10 times more though they are usually not removable.

The history of the tassel doll as I understand is that they were used in wealthier Victorian homes in years gone by on drapery tie backs, hence tassel.

Accessories are also available here on Ebay for tassel dolls including sofas, chairs and many other unique display ideas.

Most tassel dolls are adorned with elaborate features like feathers, pearls, sequins, satin, silk, and have some accessories with them like tiny purses or boquets of flowers.  Most have tassel gowns with other parts of the outfit around the tassel but lately as in the first one pictured, some tassel dolls just have regular gowns sans the tassel.

I have included some pictures of tassel dolls with permission from Ebay sellers.  The first is from a wonderful lady from whom I have purchased several tassel brides.  Pictured is "Lila" my very favorite.

She is from Klutter*up's Closet and a link to her store is below.  Thank you for your permission to use this lovely picture.  Note that this particular one is on a stand an measures only 13" tall.  Quite a show for very little space.

Klutter up's Closet 

Next is a representation of a tassel doll with the tassel showing and they come with permission from a very nice Ebay seller "thedollladym"  be sure to check out her auctions on Ebay.

So if you have a love of dolls but may have limited space, tassel dolls are just the perfect answer.  Of course, even if you have tons of space, these lovely dolls make beautiful accent pieces and thoughtful gifts.

Once again, I would like to thank Klutter*ups Closet and thedollladym for allowing me to use their lovely pictures for this review.  Be sure to visit their auctions and have fun looking at the lovely Tassel dolls available on Ebay.