Forever Young
Saturday, January 9, 2016 | 11:00 AM Pacific
Auction closed.
Forever Young
Saturday, January 9, 2016 | 11:00 AM Pacific
Auction closed.
Internet Premium: 14%
See Special Terms for additional fees
See Special Terms for additional fees
Description
Featuring private estate dolls from important French and German collections. The auction will take place at the Fairmont in Newport Beach, California. For more information call 800-638-0422.
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French Bisque Bebe Modele, Painted Teeth and Signed Bru Shoes by Leon Casimir Bru 16,000/25,000
Lot # 76 (Sale Order: 76 of 354)
16" (41 cm.) Bisque socket head with plump cheeks and chin, blue glass paperweight inset eyes with spiral threading and darker blue outer rims, large black pupils, very rich dark eyeliner, mauve blushed eye shadow, feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with very full outlined lips, row of dainty painted teeth between the lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, all-wooden body with shapely derriere, dowel-jointing at shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles, defined carving of fingers and toes. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 1 (head) H (and illegible numbers on back torso). Comments: Leon Casimir Bru, his distinctive Bebe Modele, inspired by his earlier deposed poupee wooden body, was made from 1879 to 1883 only. Value Points: a particularly gorgeous bebe with rare painted teeth, finest bisque, very rare articulated wooden Bebe Modele body, and owning a pair of brown leather shoes impressed B in an oval.
French Poupee Smiling Expression, Leon Casimir Bru, Original Label Aux Enfants Sage 5500/7500
Lot # 77 (Sale Order: 77 of 354)
23" (58 cm.) Bisque swivel head with very delicate complexion, kid-edged bisque shoulder plate, very pale blue glass enamel inset eyes with spiral threading and darker blue iris rims, dark eyeliner, dark painted lashes, mauve blushed eye shadow, feathered brows, accented eye corners and nostrils, aquiline shaped nose, closed mouth with upturned smiling lip corners and accented center line, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, kid gusset-jointed poupee body with square-cut collarette in the classic Bru poupee style, wearing fine antique costume comprising a red woolen fitted jacket, blue silk satin skirt, undergarments, leather boots, straw bonnet. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Depose K (forehead) K (back of head). Comments: Leon Casimir Bru, his smiling portrait model poupee, deposed in 1872, and likely created as an homage portrait of the Empress Eugenie. Value Points: rare larger size of the sought-after model, having extraordinary quality of sculpting including impressed philtrum and lip corners, beautiful eyes, and fine delicate bisque, and with original body and bearing the label of the prestigious 1800s Parisian doll boutique of Aux Enfants Sage.
Rare Large Italian Felt Chubby-Faced Googly, Series 178, by Lenci 1800/2500
Lot # 78 (Sale Order: 78 of 354)
24" (61 cm.) Felt swivel head with very chubby cheeks and chin, pressed and painted facial features, large brown side-glancing googly eyes with decorative glaze, painted curly upper lashes, comma brows, pug nose, auburn mohair wig, very plump torso, jointing at shoulders and hips. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Lenci (cloth label on cape). Comments: Lenci, Italy, circa 1930, series 178. Value Points: rare model with wonderful wide-eyes face, wearing original black formal felt costume with silk lapels, white shirt with tucks, black silk tie, black felt top hat and shoes, and red felt cape.
Italian Felt Miniature Doll Depicting Little Red-Haired Girl with Piglet 700/1000
Lot # 79 (Sale Order: 79 of 354)
9" (23 cm.) Felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features, large brown side-glancing googly eyes, painted upper lashes, high brows, accented nostrils, "O"-shaped mouth, carrot-red mohair wig, jointing at shoulders and hips. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Lenci (cloth and paper labels). Comments: Lenci, circa 1933. Value Points: pristine vibrant condition, with red polka dot dress and black shawl, wooden sandals with red felt ties, undergarments, and carrying a little wooden piglet, with original store label from Marshall Fields (price tag of $5.50).
Early Version Italian Felt Character, Sailor with Pipe, by Lenci 700/900
Lot # 80 (Sale Order: 80 of 354)
7" (18 cm.) Felt head with pressed and painted facial features depicting a plump-faced sailor, painted closed eyelids, high arched brows, closed smiling mouth with hole for insertion of large wooden pipe, red auburn hair and beard with attached black hat, firmly-stuffed plump body with attached pink and cream striped felt shirt, blue middy jacket, grey pants. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Lenci, early 1930s. Value Points: earliest version of the popular model with well-detailed all-felt costume retaining vibrant original colors, original pipe.
Superb Italian Felt Character Girl, Series 1500, by Lenci with Provenance 3000/4000
Lot # 81 (Sale Order: 81 of 354)
18" (46 cm.) Felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features depicting a plump-faced fretful girl, painted brown side-glancing eyes, thin black eyeliner, painted upper lashes, feathered brows, broad nose with accented nostrils, closed mouth with fretful-posed lips, blushed chubby cheeks, red mohair wig with widow's peak at center of forehead, jointing at shoulders and hips. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Lenci 1500/4 (silver label). Comments: Lenci, circa 1930, from their rare 150 character series. This doll was featured on the cover of Theriault's catalog "My Cousin in Brittany", August 1999, from the private Lenci collection of Ethyl Neary of San Francisco, who had acquired her dolls during the 1930s from prestigious stores such as City of Paris. Value Points: pristine crisp freshness of the doll, with beautiful facial blushing, wearing vibrant magenta felt dress with applique felt dots and patches, fringed shawl, cotton undergarments with scalloped pink felt edging, embroidered woolen stockings, wooden sandals, and carrying a pink felt piglet with black bead eyes and pink bow.
Rare Early Italian Felt Doll, Model 700/12, by Lenci with Fine Original Costume 2000/3000
Lot # 82 (Sale Order: 82 of 354)
37" (89 cm.) Felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features, very large blue painted side-glancing eyes, umber upper eye shadow and painted lashes, grey lower eye shadow, fringed brows, closed mouth, two accent dots on bottom lip, blonde mohair wig in ringlet curls, elongated torso and limbs, jointing at shoulders and hips. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Lenci, model 700/12, the model appeared in the company catalogs in this 37" size for two years only, 1928 and 1929, and then for one or two more years in a slightly smaller size of 34". Value Points: very rare model, virtually never found in this grand size, is wearing her original black taffeta dress with bright applique flowers, and with white organdy apron, sleeves, cap, and multi-layered petticoats and pantalets, and is carrying a grand bouquet of colorful felt flowers.
Italian Felt Red-Haired Russian Boy, Model 300/48, by Lenci 2200/2700
Lot # 83 (Sale Order: 83 of 354)
17" (43 cm.) Felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features, green painted side-glancing eyes, brown curly upper lashes, grey eye shadow, closed mouth, carrot-red mohair bobbed wig, jointed arms and legs. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Lenci, circa 1930, model 300/48, wearing wonderful original vibrant costume with chartreuse felt shirt, green felt jacket with brown edging and orange floral appliques, black pants and cap with faux-fur edging, green leather boots with embroidered detail, braided sash with wooden tips, gloves. Value Points: most endearing pouty-faced character with rare eye color, all-original vibrant costume.
Extremely Rare Italian Felt Character Doll, Series 100, as Hiker, by Lenci 3500/4500
Lot # 84 (Sale Order: 84 of 354)
19" (48 cm.) Felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features, side-glancing brown eyes with decorative glaze, painted curly upper lashes, dark eye shadow, glazed lower lips, brunette mohair curly wig, jointing at hips and shoulders. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 100/131 (silver foil tag). Comments: Lenci, Italian, circa 1931. Value Points: extremely rare model, the doll wears pristine original felt costume of mountain hiker, with green felt jacket, brown felt trousers with green cuffs, leather shoes, gloves and holds a wooden walking stick and colorful felt flowers.
Superb and Extremely Rare Italian Felt Character, Series 100, by Lenci 3500/4500
Lot # 85 (Sale Order: 85 of 354)
19" (48 cm.) Felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features, blue side-glancing eyes with dark eye shadow, painted lashes, single-stroke brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with pouting expression, rosy cheeks, blonde mohair wig in side-parted fashion, jointing at shoulders and hips. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 100/135 (silver foil tag). Comments: Lenci, Italian, circa 1931. Value Points: extremely rare model in outstanding fine state of preservation, beautiful facial painting and hair, superb felt Tyrolean costume with embroidered pants and vest including running deer, green felt jack with brass buttons, and brown leather shoes.
Italian Felt Salon Lady, Model 165, with Organdy Costume and Black Felt Toy by Lenci 2000/2500
Lot # 86 (Sale Order: 86 of 354)
25" (64 cm.) Felt swivel head of slender adult lady, elongated throat, pressed and painted facial features, deeply set eye sockets, blue painted side-glancing eyes, long painted lashes, high brows, accented nostrils, glazed lower lip with accent dots, blonde mohair wig, elongated slender torso and limbs, jointing at shoulders, stitch-jointing at hips and knees, high heel feet. Condition: generally excellent. some spotting at throat. Marks: Lenci (stamp on foot). Comments: Lenci, model 165 from the salon series, circa 1927. Value Points: wearing green and cream organdy gown with organdy multi-layered flowers, black felt appliques, gloves, bonnet, and high heels, and carrying a black felt profile doll with felt fringed hair and pink felt gloves (with its own original paper label, of 100/17.
Early Italian Felt Salon Lady in Carnival Costume with Toy Monkey by Lenci 1600/2200
Lot # 87 (Sale Order: 87 of 354)
27" (69 cm.) Felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features, slender facial modeling, elongated throat, brown side-glancing eyes with narrowed eyelids in flirtatious manner, painted lashes, grey eye shadow, arched and feathered brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with row of painted teeth, white accent dots on bottom lip, brunette frizzed hair, felt torso with arms stitched uniquely to allow the wearing of a sleeveless gown, elongated felt legs with stitch-jointed knees to allow posing. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Lenci, early 1920s, from the 165 series. Value Points: rare early model wearing original yellow organdy gown with vibrant orange and yellow felt striped bodice and lower sleeves, ruffled collar, orange gloves and felt party hat, with black heeled shoes, and carrying a brown mohair monkey with stitched eyes, and grey felt hands, feet and mask face.
Early Italian Felt Salon Lady in Flapper Costume by Lenci 1200/1800
Lot # 88 (Sale Order: 88 of 354)
25" (64 cm.) Felt swivel head with slender face and elongated throat, with uptilted haughty chin, and with painted brown side-glancing eyes with heavy eyelids, brown eye shadow, accented nostrils, high brows, closed mouth with painted teeth, elongated torso and slender limbs, jointing at shoulders, stitch-jointing at hips and knees, high heel feet. Condition: generally excellent, some light dustiness. Marks: (original silver button and paper label "Lenci, Made in Italy, N. 161.). Comments: Lenci, the silver button was used only 1920-22. Value Points: rare early model with wonderfully detailed flapper costume including matching cap, felt ruffles at collar and cuffs, yarn fringe on heeled shoes, and having painted exaggerated spit curls in front of each ear.
Italian Felt Salon Doll in Original Pierrot Costume by Lenci 1200/1600
Lot # 89 (Sale Order: 89 of 354)
21" (53 cm.) Felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features, narrow brown side-glancing eyes with heavy eyelids, grey eye shadow, brown painted lashes, accented nostrils, closed mouth with accented lower lip, stitched-on black felt skull cap with wire-framed felt flower on long stem, jointing at shoulders, hips and knees. Condition: very good, some dustiness. Comments: Lenci, Italy, circa 1924, model 115A, the Pierrot model was made in three variations of costume colors. Value Points: wearing original black felt Pierrot costume with white buttons, and carrying wooden mandolin with green felt ties.
French WWI Poster Designed by Poulbot 500/800
Lot # 90 (Sale Order: 90 of 354)
33" (84 cm.) x 25". The poster urges thriftiness on the part of the French people in the name of national defense. "Don't throw away a single gram of bread" is the call, urging Frenchmen to hold on until the American troops arrived and re-took the country. The famed illustrator, Francisque Poulbot, made the Montmartre area of Paris his home as he plied his talents in the creation of illustrations, posters, and postcards in the support of France during WWI, with special emphasis on aiding the orphans who roved the streets of Paris; his dolls (shown in #91) evolved from those poster designs. Excellent condition, framed, 1918. The poster was dated just during the American entry into the war.
Rare and All-Original Pair of French Bisque Character Dolls Designed by Artist Poulbot 17,000/25,000
Lot # 91 (Sale Order: 91 of 354)
14" (36 cm.) Each has bisque socket head with distinctively shaped face, brown glass inset eyes in deeply set eye sockets with heavy eyelids, tinted brows and ombre eye shadow, tiny pointed nose, closed mouth with wide center line, blushed cheeks, carrot-red mohair wig, five-piece French paper mache body with side-hip jointing. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: SFBJ 239 Paris (incised) Poulbot (incised signature). Comments: designed by the French illustrator Poulbot, whose illustration posters featured young urchins of the Montmartre district of Paris orphaned by WWI; the posters were important aspects of charity drives to feed and clothe these children, and the dolls, designed by Poulbot and produced by SFBJ, circa 1916, are superb sculptural representations of the poster children. Value Points: very rare dolls, made for one or two years only, with superb modeling, bisque and painting, original bodies, each wearing its factory-original costume.
Amusing French Musical Automaton "The Waltzing Peasant" by Roullet & Decamps 6000/8000
Lot # 92 (Sale Order: 92 of 354)
23" (58 cm.) Standing upon a velvet-covered box is a fancily-dressed man with highly-characterized paper mache head, having deeply set eye sockets, blue upper glancing eyes, grey outlined eyes, sculpted brows, pronounced nose, smiling mouth with row of teeth, brunette mohair wig, carton torso, legs and hands, metal upper arms. When wound, music plays and he spins around, swaying at his jointed waist from side to side. Condition: generally excellent, hands repainted. Comments: Roullet et Decamps, circa 1885, the automaton was shown in an early catalog of Roullet et Decamps, as model 212 described as "paysan valseur, costume rich satin" and is illustrated wearing the costume which he presently wears. Value Points: rare model with delightful motion, wearing all-original fancy costume and holding bouquets of flowers.
French Mechanical White Kitten Seated in a Gentleman's Slipper, Roullet & Decamps 2500/3500
Lot # 93 (Sale Order: 93 of 354)
19" (48 cm.) Seated in a paper mache slipper with flannel cover and fur lining is a paper mache kitten with white fur cover, green glass eyes, pink nose and hinged jaw. When wound, the kitten merrily nods its head back and forth and opens and closes its mouth. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Roullet & Decamps, circa 1900, from their series of mechanical toys featuring animals. Value Points: rare mechanical toy with delightful homey scene is well-preserved and functions well.
An Amusing French Musical Automaton "The Merry Drunkard" by Gustav Vichy 7500/9500
Lot # 94 (Sale Order: 94 of 354)
23" (58 cm.) Paper mache head of highly-characterized man with brown glass eyes, sculpted brows and dominant nose, hinged jaw with jagged teeth, fleeced hair under knit stocking cap, rounded paper mache torso with barrel-shaped lower torso, short plump legs, wire upper arms, metal hands, posed standing on the top of another barrel. The man has an internal mechanism which, when wound, causes him to turn his head and open and close his mouth as he lifts a pewter goblet to his mouth, all-the-while rubbing his stomach in anticipation of the libation. Meanwhile music plays. Condition: original facial finish albeit rubbed, costume very attic-sooted, craquelure on barrel, music and mechanism function well. Comments: Gustav Vichy, circa 1890, another example has been found with the Vichy insignia on the barrel. Value Points: very rare and amusing automaton with original (albeit quite worn) costuming.
Rare German Bisque Character, 1304, by Simon and Halbig for the French Market 2000/3000
Lot # 95 (Sale Order: 95 of 354)
12" (30 cm.) Bisque socket head with white complexion, brown glass inset eyes, deeply modeled features especially around the eyes and mouth, painted lashes, closed mouth with shy smile, impressed dimples, white cotton wig, French composition fully-jointed body. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 4 1304 SH (head) Le Petit Parisien...(blue stamp on body). Comments: Simon and Halbig, for the French market, with original Steiner body, circa 1895. Value Points: rare model with especially fine modeling, with original yellow silk clown costume.
German Bisque Portrait of Chinese Baby, Model 243, by Kestner 1800/2500
Lot # 96 (Sale Order: 96 of 354)
12" (30 cm.) Bisque socket head with amber-tinted complexion, brown glass eyes, painted lashes, short black feathered brows, accented nostrils, open mouth, outlined lips, two porcelain upper teeth, black mohair wig over plaster pate, amber-tinted composition baby body with jointing at shoulders and hips. Condition: generally excellent, original body finish albeit craquelure. Marks: F made in Germany 10 243 JDK. Comments: Kestner, circa 1912. Value Points: distinctive model of young Chinese child was used for this doll alone, never being adapted to other models as was customary; the doll wears silk costume with well-detailed embroidery.
Petite French Bisque Bebe Jumeau, Mulatto Complexion, Original Costume, Original Box 1400/1900
Lot # 97 (Sale Order: 97 of 354)
10" (25 cm.) Bisque socket head with amber brown mulatto complexion, large brown glass paperweight inset eyes, lushly-painted lashes, black brush-stroked brows, accented nostrils, open mouth, row of teeth, pierced ears, black mohair wig, French composition and wooden body with matching amber brown complexion. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Tete Jumeau 1 (head) Jumeau Medaille d'Or Paris (body). Comments: Emile Jumeau, circa 1898. Value Points: all-original unplayed with condition, with beautiful complexion and body finish, wearing factory-original silk striped costume and headband, and presented in original box labeled "Bebe Jumeau" and stamped "mulatre".
German Bisque Character, Model 164, Simon and Halbig, Original Costume, Larger Size 3500/4500
Lot # 98 (Sale Order: 98 of 354)
23" (58 cm.) Bisque socket head with golden-amber tinted complexion, brown glass sleep eyes, painted dark curly lashes, incised eyeliner, black brush-stroked brows, accented eye corners and nostrils of pointy nose, open mouth with slightly parted accented lips, four porcelain teeth, pierced ears, dark brunette/black antique human hair wig, amber tinted composition and wooden ball-jointed body. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 30 164. Comments: Simon and Halbig, circa 1900. Value Points: rare model especially in this larger size, with flawless of bisque and fine glowing complexion, original body and body finish, wearing original bronze green silk taffeta dress with lace and rose silk bows, rose knit stockings, black leather shoes, undergarments, and embroidered rose silk bonnet.
French Bisque Bebe, Emile Jumeau, Cartouche Signature, Original All-Wooden Body 14,000/18,000
Lot # 99 (Sale Order: 99 of 354)
12 1/2" (32 cm.) Bisque socket head with delicate bisque, dramatic large blue glass enamel inset eyes with spiral threading (so-called "wrap-around"), dark eyeliner, painted curly lashes, feathered brows, accented eye corners and nostrils, closed mouth with defined space between the pale outlined lips, pierced ears, blonde lambswool wig over cork pate, all-wooden eight-loose-ball-jointed body, jointed wrists, wearing lovely antique rose silk dress, ruffled frou-frou bonnet, undergarments, rose knit socks, and leather shoes signed "E.J. Depose". Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Jumeau (impressed in large letters within cartouche, on head). Comments: Emile Jumeau, very early model, circa 1878, made for one or two years only. Value Points: the stunningly beautiful bebe is enhanced by rare incised mark, original all-wooden body, and signed early E.J. shoes.
All-Original French Bisque Bebe Steiner in Rare Tiny Size 1800/3000
Lot # 100 (Sale Order: 100 of 354)
8" (20 cm.) Bisque socket head, blue glass paperweight inset eyes, painted lashes, brush-stroked and feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with center accent line, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over original paper mache pate, Steiner composition body with jointing at shoulders, elbows and hips. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: A 1 (head) (original Steiner paper label on torso). Comments: Jules Steiner, circa 1890. Value Points: the tiny bebe wears original aqua silk dress with lace collar, matching bonnet, undergarments, socks, and white kidskin shoes.
