China dolls are often too beautiful to be considered a toy. Their history dates to the Chinese T'ang Dynasty (618-907) . Porcelain (later called china) was a closely guarded secret for centuries. To divulge the process was punishable by death. Marco Polo is believed to to have brought fine porcelain objects back to Europe after his visits to China in the 14th century. Because these objects were so rare and valuable, they were owned by royalty. The process to make porcelain wa