Oh, so lovely! I don't know a lot about this doll, but I am pretty certain it is Chinese, and perhaps a "Chinese Opera" doll, which from what I understand were sold at Chinese opera performances as momentos, and often also then converted into puppets for use re-enacting the operas.

From what I can tell, the body is made of wire covered with cloth, such that the arms and legs can be manipulated some.  I'd guess the head as well as the boots are made of a  composite, then hand-painted (there are remnants of one hand as well.) The silk skirt is pretty tattered at this point, and there is certainly wear to the tunic though it remains pretty well intact--I rather love it more for the wear, and find it a very tender and beautiful thing. 

7" tall x 2 1/4" wide (with arms down) x 1" deep; the head measures about 1 1/2" tall x 7/8" wide.