Porcelain greenware is kiln fired to 2200 degrees Fahrenheit, during which the doll pieces become white hot.  To prevent collapse, the pieces are supported by a specially designed heat resistant prop to help the pieces retain their original shape during firing.  Sometimes the pieces collapse during this phase of the process and must be thrown away.  Any fine crack in the greenware will destroy the piece during firing.  The intense heat of the high fire causes all pieces to shrink at least 1/3 of original size.  The fired porcelain is now called bisque. The cooled bisque is rough and each piece must be sanded smooth and slick, washed with fine cleansing powder and dried.  The high firing takes approximately 24 hours to complete, as the porcelain must cool slowly in the kiln to under 100 degrees before it can be handled and removed from the kiln.