It’s really interesting to say that reborn baby dolls are the next big step in doll evolution. In the end, these items existed for almost a century and still it seems that no one know about them. There is a much better chance you’ll be familiar with the latest LEGO or Mattel toy than this type of dolls.
So what is the issue? Why are people unaware of these products? Read on to learn more!
Anonymity of reborns
Dolls have always been popular. Since the first societies we tried to replicate human body and create dolls that are similar to us. We used them for various purposes from magic and religious rituals to being used as toys for kids.
in endless pursuit for more realistic dolls, we started mass-creating them. They became common items for kids. During the 1930s some of the doll artists started taking these products and adding details and modifications to them. This is how first reborn baby dolls were made.
Unfortunately, they never managed to become popular among consumers. Most people thought they were scary (due to excessive realism) and initially, they didn’t manage to fulfil their potential. It was very hard getting ahold of them as they were only sold by a handful of craftsmen and during special fan conventions. Although they represented the evolution, it turns out that the evolution was too scary for most people: they were simply too lifelike to become mainstream.
They only became popular recently with the development of e-commerce. Nowadays, you can find these dolls on sites such as Amazon and some specialized doll websites such as Reborn Dolls For Sale. Yet, it seems that there is not enough people who know about them. They aren’t particularly advertised and you have either to be a doll lover or to stumble on them to recognize they exist.
Another good reason for such a sharp decline and anonymity of these dolls is because dolls in general are much less popular nowadays. There are so many other things that parents give to their kids as entertainment. In fact, most of the kids will learn how to use a cell phone or a tablet before they reach age of 3. In other words, by the time they grow old enough to have a doll, they will already be hooked up to video games and interactive content.
Reborn baby dolls as an art form
For most people, reborns will be nothing more than fancy toys. However doll lovers recognize them as an art form. In fact, craftsmen creating them are often referred to as “artists”.
It’s hard to say whether or not they are an art for. Basically, everything is called an art nowadays and it is hard to make a differentiation. Still that doesn’t diminish their cultural impact and the fact that these items are made by elite craftsmen.
Another thing that is great about reborns is that they are unique items. Given they are handmade, it is really hard to make two exact same dolls. Craftsmen take approximately one week to create one such doll.
Of course, all of these factors affect their price. Cheapest ones may cost around 40 to 50 dollar while there are also dolls who are sold for several thousands. Craftsman’s name also plays a factor and can drive the price up. This is one of the main reasons why reborns are rarely seen as a toy and also rarely bought as a gift. People are reluctant to buy them for their kids as they can easily be damaged due to negligence.
What is the future for these dolls?
It’s really hard to say. They existed for quite a while and they only recently became popular (but still among smaller number of people). In this day and age, parents are more likely to give their kids a tablet instead of a doll. Who knows; perhaps one day dolls will became obsolete altogether. It remains to be seen.