Inviting History: Marie Antoinette as a Paper Doll

It may come as no surprise that Marie Antoinette, well known as the "Queen of Fashion," is a popular subject for paper dolls. The "paper doll" as we recognize it today primarily developed during the 19th century (although 18th century paper dolls, primarily made for shops and milliners to show off their wares, do exist) when paper doll sets featuring famous women such as Queen Victoria and popular ballerina dancers became the go-to choice for girls looking for some fashionable paper toys.

Marie Antoinette, as both a romantic and fashionable figure, has naturally been a popular choice for paper doll artists from the 19th century until today. I've gathered up some examples of the more interesting paper dolls based on and inspired by the famous queen of France. Let's take a look!

In the late 19th century, paper dolls--like postcards--were also used as a form of advertising. This 1880s Marie Antoinette paper doll, produced by McLaughlin's Coffee Company, is being depicted with her hands bound, on her way to the guillotine. A rather morbid way to advertise coffee!

image source: ebay

Not every 19th century apper doll of the queen was made as an dvertising ploy. This romantic paper doll was published by the Frederick A. Stokes Company as part of the 'Famous Queens' series.

image: The Strong

The paper dolls which are considered to be the most sought-after by collecators are typically the gorgeous, detailed hand-painted dolls which were most popular in the mid-to-late 19th century. This Marie Antoinette doll set was hand-drawn and hand painted with fine detail in watercolors. The set, which was recently sold at auction, went for an amazing $2,100!

image: Theriaults

The1938 release of MGM's Marie Antoinette, a grand costume drama on an epic scale, has also inspired a line of Marie Antoinette paper dolls. This modern paper doll set, designed by Brenda Sneathen Mattox, features full-color dresses inspired by Gilbert Adrian's sumptuous gowns.

image: Brenda Sneathen Mattox

Some modern paper doll artists decide to go with a more fanciful view of Marie Antoinette's 18th century garb. The following set designed by Barb Rausch, featuring Marie Antoinette with her "lover" (quote emphasis mine) Axel Fersen, features wonderfully detailed gowns that would like right at home in a colorful candy shop!

image: Barb Rausch

One of the most popular--or certainly the most widely recognizable--paper dolls of Marie Antoinette come from artist Tom Tierney, whose paper doll book is filled with gorgeous gowns inspired by some of the queen's many memorable ensembles.