The ‘Porcelain Doll Exhibition Area’ opened by the Municipality of Kuşadası in the city’s historical Caravanserai has aroused much interest from local and foreign visitors.

The porcelain dolls, most of which are made in Germany and France, have drawn interest for their stylish clothes reflecting the fashion of the period in which they were produced, hair that looks exactly like the real thing, and colourful eyes made of glass.

The exhibition, opened last month by Kuşadası Municipality, consists of 290 porcelain dolls, from collectors Meral and Öğül Orhan from various countries over the past 40 years.

Porcelain dolls, which were very popular between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, attract attention with their smooth skin, glass-coloured eyes and realistic hair. Stating that she started to collect porcelain dolls after she was impressed by the facial expression of a baby she saw abroad, Meral Orhan said: “I started to keep the porcelain dolls that I had accumulated over the years in boxes. But I thought everyone should see this collection.

“This thought of mine turned into reality in the most beautiful hall of the Historical Caravanserai with the proposal of the Mayor of Kuşadası Ömer Günel. I thank him very much. Because porcelain is such a fragile material, the making of porcelain dolls began very late. These dolls were originally produced as ornaments, not for children to play with.”

İrfan Cibeli, who spent his summer vacation in Kuşadası, said that he liked the Porcelain Doll Exhibition Area very much. Cebeci, who stated that he found the facial expressions of porcelain dolls especially very realistic, said, “It is very nice to have such an interesting touristic route in Kuşadası. I will come to visit again whenever I have the opportunity.”