Many Wonderful Things
Saturday, November 19, 2011 | 11:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
Many Wonderful Things
Saturday, November 19, 2011 | 11:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
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Description
A superb collection of 19th century antique French dolls and automata, highlighted by the important automata of Candy Spelling, including works by Vichy, Theroude, Lambert, and Roullet et Decamps.
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Gorgeous Italian Felt Salon Doll "Melanie" with Upper-Glancing Eyes by Lenci 1500/2100
Lot # 51 (Sale Order: 51 of 303)
25" (64 cm.) Felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features, brown upper-glancing eyes, painted curly upper lashes, high arched brows, closed mouth, blushed cheeks, brunette mohair wig with ringlet curls, slender lady body with jointing at shoulders and hips, high-heel posed feet. Condition: generally excellent, one tiny tear in taffeta. Marks: Melanie (name on Lenci heart-shaped parchment tag). Comments: Lenci, circa 1930, the doll is wearing her original pale pink taffeta gown with tiers of box pleats on the skirt, matching detachable capelet with box-pleated edging, deep coral silk sash and bow on bonnet, velvet bows on skirt, two organdy petticoats (one with hoop), pantalets with ruffled edging, black felt heels, and extravagant felt flowers that border her bonnet, form a nosegay, and accent her stocking garters. Value Points: rare model with especially beautiful face, Melanie is wearing a stunning costume that is wonderfully-preserved.
French Automaton "Magician Clown with Surprises" by Leopold Lambert 8000/12,000
Lot # 52 (Sale Order: 52 of 303)
24" (61 cm.) Standing upon a velvet-covered wooden base is a clown whose papier-mache head is exuberantly decorated with painted butterflies and insects on whitened complexion, with blue glass eyes circled by brown and black eye-shadow and brows, red-tipped nose, open mouth with long tongue, auburn and white fleecy clown wig, on carton torso and legs, metal arms, papier-mache hands, wearing a magenta silk jacket over formal vest and shirt, trousers, bow tie. He is posed in front of a wooden table decorated with green felt table cover edged with metallic braid and with gilt metal symbols, a metal cone on the table top which hides the surprises below. Condition: excellent condition, original finish with some minor flaking on tongue paint, mechanism and music function well. Marks: LB (on key). Comments: Leopold Lambert, circa 1890, when wound, he nods his head and turns it in a realistic manner as though looking at his audience and then at his surprises which are alternately revealed when he taps the table; the prizes include pearls, dice, pocket watch, and a wonderful jeweled seahorse. Value Points: well-preserved automaton with fabulous facial decorations, wonderful surprises, faded original paper tune on the front.
The Fabulous French Musical Automaton "Clown Musicians on Stage" by Vichy 55,000/75,000
Lot # 53 (Sale Order: 53 of 303)
30" (76 cm.) Two vivacious papier-mache clowns are posed upon a wooden stage with red velvet draperies and five front steps, ready to begin their performance. Each has oil-painted white complexion and dramatic clown decorations, piercingly-brilliant blue glass eyes, articulated eyelids, white mohair clown wig and silk costume embroidered with musical symbols. One clown has a well-defined frowning expression and the other a wide beaming smile with painted teeth. Their musical "instruments" are whimsical confections, one wrought of a saucepan and the other carved of wood. When wound, they begin their performance: turning their heads from side-to-side, blinking their eyes, and side-stepping in unison while strumming their instruments. Suddenly, the sullen clown, in an apparent attack of jealousy, attempts to kick the cheerful clown off the stage. The cheerful clown is blissfully indifferent, and just turns in the other direction and kicks out of sequence. Music accompanies their performance and a large Vichy-style motor drives the movements from six cams. Condition: generally excellent, music and movements function well. Comments: Vichy, circa 1910 during Triboulet era, the theme plays upon the popular French legends of "Jean qui rire et Jean qui pleure" (John who laughs, John who cries). Value Points: fabulous automaton with very intricate and synchronized movements of great theatricality.
Delightful French Bisque Character, 252, by SFBJ with Pouting Expression 2000/2800
Lot # 54 (Sale Order: 54 of 303)
10" (25 cm.) Bisque socket head with plumply-sculpted cheeks, small blue glass eyes, painted short lashes, feathered brows, broad rounded nose, closed mouth with pouting expression, blonde mohair wig, French composition and wooden fully-jointed body, antique costume. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 22 SFBJ 252 Paris 2. Comments: SFBJ, circa 1910, from their art character series. Value Points: rare model with wonderful sulky expression enhanced by finest quality of bisque and painting, antique costume.
Rare French Bisque Pouting Characteter, 248, by SFBJ 2500/3500
Lot # 55 (Sale Order: 55 of 303)
10" (25 cm.) Bisque socket head with very full plump cheeks, blue glass side-glancing eyes, painted lashes, feathered brows, accented nostrils of tiny nose, closed mouth with downcast lip corners, blonde mohair wig, French composition and wooden fully-jointed body, well-detailed antique costume. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: SFBJ 248 Paris. Comments: SFBJ, circa 1912, from the firm's art character doll series. Value Points: one of the rarest models of the series, with wonderfully-executed pouting expression achieved with sculpted frown lines enhanced with painting, fine quality of bisque, wonderful costume.
Fabulous French Bisque Pouting Character, 252, by SFBJ, in Rare Grand Size 8000/12,000
Lot # 56 (Sale Order: 56 of 303)
26" (66 cm.) Bisque socket head with very plump cheeks and chin, small blue glass sleep eyes, brown eyeliner and painted curly lower lashes, mohair lashes, short feathered brows, accented nostrils of round-tipped nose, closed mouth with very full lips, brunette mohair wig, French composition and wooden fully-jointed toddler body with side-hip jointing, antique cotton dress with lace trim, undergarments, shoes, stockings, Bebe pin. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: SFBJ 252 Paris 11 (head) Fabrication Francais SFBJ Paris (body label). Comments: SFBJ, circa 1912. Value Points: most sought-after model of the series is especially rare in this grand size, and has superb sculpting of furrowed scowls and frown lines enhanced by exemplary bisque and painting, original body and body finish.
Rare American Cloth Doll by Babyland Rag in Grand 30" Size 1200/1600
Lot # 57 (Sale Order: 57 of 303)
30" (76 cm.) All-cloth doll with flat-dimensional face and hand-painted facial features, shaded brown upper-glancing eyes, grey and red eyeliner, brown feathered brows, accented eye corners, defined nostrils, closed mouth with artistically painted lips, blush, mohair curls attached to the brim of baby cap, muslin stitch-jointed body, wearing antique costume with white cotton dress under checkered pinafore with soutache braid, undergarments, socks, stockings. Condition: generally excellent, one small fabric wear on right cheek. Comments: Babyland Rag Doll, Horsman, circa 1900, the doll was made with either dimensional-mask faces with printed features, or this, the rarer, flat-faced model with hand-painted details; and was offered in Macy's catalog of 1904 in four sizes, this being the largest available. By 1908, the 30" size was no longer available. Value Points: very rare American doll with wonderful folk-art style of facial painting and very rare size, well-preserved.
Three Sets of Early American Blocks by Hill & Son in Original Boxes 400/600
Lot # 58 (Sale Order: 58 of 303)
Including 6" x 6" wooden box with sliding lid having lithographed lid depicting Florence and Charles setting up the blocks so as to spell each other's name, with complete set of ABC blocks inside, 6" x 6" book-shaped box with the adage on inside lid "Children learn best when the hands assist the head" and set of blocks (B,C, and E missing, and lid hinge broken); and 9" x 11" blocks in wooden box with lithographed Egyptian lid design and 30 interior square blocks with five-sided letters and one-side lithograph image of commonly-used words of the mid-19th century such as omnibus, smith, grindstone, ice cart and such. Each of the boxes indicates S.L. Hill & Son as the maker, mid-19th century. Fair to very good condition. Rare American toys in their original boxes.
Two Early American Lithographed Toys 400/600
Lot # 59 (Sale Order: 59 of 303)
9" (23 cm.) Punch and Judy musical theatre. Including the cardboard-front faux-theatre with lithographed scene of children clamoring at the front of a Punch and Judy toy theatre, with rocking base which when tapped causes the theatre to rock while a tune tinkles; the toy is marked "Patented January 29, 1884, December 8, 1891, other Patents Pending" and the lithographer's name "Currier Litho, Buffalo" appears in lower left corner. Along with a set of twenty-six 3 1/2" wooden blocks with lithographed ABC designs on one side and a puzzle depicting the "Old Homestead" on the other, in original worn box with image of the Homestead, and label "Published by R. Bliss Mfg Co, 1891". Very good condition, American, late 19th century rare-to-find wonderful and complete toys.
Wonderful and Rare American Cloth "Philadelphia Baby" for J.B. Sheppard 2500/3500
Lot # 60 (Sale Order: 60 of 303)
20" (51 cm.) All-cloth doll with pressed and oil-painted facial features and hair, deeply-defined eye sockets with incised eyeliner, brown painted eyes, brown painted hair with stippling onto forehead and matching-brown brows, accented nostrils, stitched-ears, closed mouth with very full lips, stockinette stitch-jointed body, oil-painted lower arms and legs, antique costume appears original. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: known as the "Philadelphia Baby", the distinctive doll was commissioned for the J.B. Sheppard Department Store of Philadelphia toward the end of the 19th century; the quality of artistry and workmanship is superb and distinctive, yet the actual maker remains unknown. Value Points: rarely found American doll with superb sculpting details and fine original painted finish.
Rare American Papier-Mache Mechanical Crawling Baby by Clay 800/1200
Lot # 61 (Sale Order: 61 of 303)
11" (28 cm.) Solid domed papier-mache head with deeply-sculpted character-like features depicting a laughing child, painted facial features, blue intaglio eyes, closed mouth modeled as open mouth with painted teeth, dimples, blonde mohair curl under lace-ruffled cap, carton torso containing a clockwork mechanism, hinge-jointed papier-mache arms and bare feet, original costume. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: the model was patented by Robert Clay of The Automatic Toy Works in 1871 under the unusual title "The Creeping Doll"; when wound, the doll "crawls" forward in an amusing and realistic manner. During its decade-long existence the firm issued 14 or more clockwork toy designs. Value Points: rare early American mechanical doll in wonderfully-preserved condition, great character expression of young child obviously delighted at its ability to "crawl" and with unusually well-executed detail of sculpting.
Early Model German Cloth Character by Kathe Kruse in Original Costume 1800/2500
Lot # 62 (Sale Order: 62 of 303)
17" (43 cm.) All-cloth doll with pressed and painted facial features, dark brown painted hair with forelock curl, small blue painted eyes with black upper eyeliner and brown eye shadow, accented nostrils of tiny nose, closed mouth with pouting lips, jointed shoulders and disc-jointed hips, separately-sewn thumb. Condition: very good, dent in left cheek. Marks: Kathe Kruse 1189 (feet). Comments: Kathe Kruse, circa 1911, the transitional model has the early face and painting of the so-called "froghand" doll, yet this example has separately-sewn thumbs. Value Points: rare early model with superb original wool felt flannel costume with red piping, brown belt, knapsack, brown leatherette boots with green leggings and green knit cap.
Set of American Wooden Lithographed ABC Dollhouse Furnishings by Bliss 500/800
Lot # 63 (Sale Order: 63 of 303)
7" (18 cm.) dresser with mirror. Ten pieces of maple wood furnishings with natural finish are decorated with lithographed paper featuring scenes of ships, children, family life, and with stenciled and alphabet accents. Included are dresser with mirror, piano, cradle, sofa, wash stand, table, two chairs and a rocking chair. Excellent condition. American Bliss, circa 1890.
Very Rare American Wax "Bye-Lo Baby" by Grace Story Putnam 800/1100
Lot # 64 (Sale Order: 64 of 303)
16" (41 cm.) head circ. 18" l. Solid domed head of honey-toned wax with socket neck, defined baby hair and brows, eyes modeled in nearly-closed manner, closed mouth, modified classic Bye-lo cloth body with constructed neck form to support socket head, celluloid hands, elaborate antique baby gown and bonnet. Condition: generally excellent, some typical wax scuffs on face, some finger repair. Comments: Circa 1922, Bye-lo, the wax model was especially commissioned by Grace Story Putnam for exclusive distribution by luxury New York City stores; at one time it was stated that only 150 of the dolls had been made, and their rarity today would seem to support that, although uncertain. Value Points: very rare variation of the keynote American doll.
American Hand-Sculpted Papier-Mache Black Character Baby, Possibly by Leo Moss 3500/4500
Lot # 65 (Sale Order: 65 of 303)
26" (66 cm.) Hand-sculpted papier-mache of plump-faced child with rich dark brown complexion, deeply-set eye sockets with red lower edging, brown glass inset eyes, black painting brows and upper eyeliner, broad nose with upturned tip, very full lips of closed mouth, sculpted ears, black mohair wig over solid dome pate, stiffened brown muslin body with brown-painted composition lower arms and legs, wearing antique cotton pinafore dress, blouse, homespun cape with green soutache trim, undergarments. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: American, circa 1920, possibly Leo Moss of Macon, Georgia, a handyman by trade, whose folk dolls were created from the scraps of paper scraped from walls and made into a thick mache, then colored with boot dye, soot, or stove blacking as their base color. Value Points: wonderful and extremely rare American folk doll, with well-detailed characterization, original finish, in rare larger size; few examples of the Leo Moss dolls are known to exist.
French Musical Automaton "Peasant and His Pig" by Roullet & Decamp 6500/9500
Lot # 66 (Sale Order: 66 of 303)
21" (53 cm.) Standing upon a velvet-covered wooden platform is a paper-mache head with gentle blue glass eyes, ruddy nose, open mouth with movable tongue, brunette mohair wig, carton torso and legs, wire upper arms, papier-mache hands, wearing a blue silk jacket and velvet striped pants, shirt, vest, bow tie, wooden shoes and woven tall hat. He holds a wine bottle in his right hand, and a pink piglet tucked in the crook of his left arm. When wound, music plays, he nods his head back and forth and side-to-side and, moving his arm, offers a drink to the piglet who jumps forward in delight. Condition: generally excellent, light face scuffs, right hand worn, mechanism and music function well; re-costumed in antique fabrics and with original costume included. Comments: Roullet & Decamps, circa 1880, shown in their catalog as model 295 "Paysan et son Cochon". Value Points: rare and amusing automaton with delightful activity, the piglet with his original plaid blanket.
French Musical Automaton "Little Boy in Dunce Cap" by Vichy 9000/12,000
Lot # 67 (Sale Order: 67 of 303)
21" (53 cm.) including ears. 11"w. bench. Seated upon a wooden bench is a papier-mache boy with highly-characterized scowling expression, glass eyes, closed mouth modeled as though open with painted teeth, dark brown mohair wig, carton torso and legs in seated position with jointed left knee, bisque hands, wearing striped velvet pants, silk shirt, silk vest, handkerchief, knit shirt, knit striped stockings, and black laced shoes, and a dunce cap on his head. He is holding a book, and a basket labeled "John" is at his side. When wound, two tunes play and the movements begin: he turns his head from side-to-side as though reading his book, then gazes upward, lifting his arm as though to wipe away tears and finally covering his face in shame, while his dunce cap ears flap up and down and he taps the bench with his foot. Condition: generally excellent, music and motion function well. Comments: Vichy, circa 1900. Value Points: the amusing automaton, which appeared in the Vichy catalog as #467 "modele depose" played upon the popular French legend of "Jean qui pleure", a mischievous boy who was constantly in trouble.
Collection of French Doll-Sized Baskets 400/600
Lot # 68 (Sale Order: 68 of 303)
4" (10 cm.) -8". Six baskets in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and decorative accents. The doll-sized baskets were sold individually as accessories in doll shops, and also as candy containers designed for later use in doll play. Excellent condition. French, late 19th/early 20th century.
French Bisque Bebe by Emile Jumeau, Size 12, with Lovely Original Costume 3800/4500
Lot # 69 (Sale Order: 69 of 303)
26" (66 cm.) Bisque socket head, deep blue glass paperweight inset eyes, dark eyeliner, painted long lashes, brush-stroked brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with shaded and outlined lips, pierced ears, brunette hand-tied human hair wig over cork pate, French composition and wooden fully-jointed body with straight wrists. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Depose Tete Jumeau 12 (and artist checkmarks) Jumeau Medaille d'Or Paris (body). Comments: Emile Jumeau, circa 1888. Value Points: the pretty bebe with original signed body and lovely bisque wears her original tulle dress with Swiss dots and lace trim, undergarments, stockings, leather shoes, velvet bonnet with silk bow.
19th-Century Accessories for Dolls 500/800
Lot # 70 (Sale Order: 70 of 303)
5" (13 cm.) l. shoes. Including a pair of hand-stitched ivory satin shoes with cobbler-made tan leather soles and wooden heels; tightly-woven basket with lid; candy box in the shape of a leather book with impressed designs and gilt-lettered "Album" on lid, opening to candy papers on the interior; and two carved bone folding fans with hand-painted floral designs, one with original box. Excellent condition. Mid-19th century.
German Porcelain Doll with Pink-Tinted Complexion Known as "Frozen Charlotte" 400/600
Lot # 71 (Sale Order: 71 of 303)
16" (41 cm.) All-porcelain doll in standing pose with arms held in front of body as though for balance, and little sculpted folding fists, pink-tinted complexion overall, light brown sculpted hair with stippling details around the face, painted features, shaded grey eyes, red and black eyeliner, feathered brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with accent line, wearing antique muslin chemise. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Germany, circa 1880, the doll is known as "Frozen Charlotte", and was actually created as a play doll for bathing. Value Points: especially fine example with rare all-over pink tinting.
Superb English Poured Wax Child Doll by Pierotti with Original Costume 1800/2700
Lot # 72 (Sale Order: 72 of 303)
26" (66 cm.) Poured wax shoulder head with plump facial shape, small blue glass inset eyes, lightly-tinted brows and eye liner, accented nostrils, closed mouth modeled as though open with hint of teeth and tongue, blonde mohair inserted hair, softly-stuffed muslin body, poured wax lower arms and legs with bare feet. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: C.P. Comments: attributed to Pierotti, circa 1880, the C.P. initials referencing Charles Pierotti, the 1871 successor to father Henry. Value Points: absolutely exquisite wax model with finest hand-stitched and embroidered costume, jacket, bonnet, undergarments, silk shoes.
Gorgeous French Bisque Bebe by Schmitt et Fils with Pale Blue Eyes, Size 4 9000/13,000
Lot # 73 (Sale Order: 73 of 303)
22" (56 cm.) Pressed bisque socket head with very plump cheeks and chin, rounded facial shape, pale blue glass enamel inset eyes with spiral threading and darker-blue outer irises, dark eyeliner, painted lashes, mauve blushed eye shadow, brush-stroked and feathered brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with accented lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig in soft curls over original Schmitt pate, French composition and wooden eight-loose-ball-jointed body with flat-cut derriere and straight wrists. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Sch (in shield on back of head and derriere) 4 (head). Comments: Schmitt et Fils, circa 1878, the earliest period bebe from the illustratious firm. Value Points: an outstanding bebe with finest detail of modeling including dimpled chin and philtrum, exquisite painting and blush on delicately-tinted complexion, original Schmitt pate and signed body with original finish, and outstanding silk costume and woven bonnet, silk knit stockings and leather shoes.
Collection of Early Accessories for French Poupees 500/800
Lot # 74 (Sale Order: 74 of 303)
8" (20 cm.) l. parasols, Including bone-handled parasol with (replaced) red silk cover, painted metal-handled parasol (referred to as Huret parasol) with original mauve silk cover (silk worn, tip missing); two wonderful early lidded baskets in very fine condition; metal bed-warmer with crocheted cover, pair of red needlework slippers, and a gold crucifix and chair (engraved SH on the reverse) in original box. Mid-19th century.
Early Period Beautiful French Bisque Portrait Bebe Attributed to Emile Jumeau 5000/7500
Lot # 75 (Sale Order: 75 of 303)
17" (43 cm.) Pressed bisque socket head, pale blue glass paperweight inset eyes with spiral threading, dark eyeliner, painted lashes, brush-stroked and feathered brows, mauve-blushed eye shadow, accented nostrils, closed mouth with outlined lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, French composition and wooden fully-jointed body with straight wrists. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 1. Comments: attributed to Emile Jumeau, circa 1880, early portrait model with rare markings. Value Points: beautiful doll with splendid eyes, softly-blushed features, fine antique silk satin dress with lace trim, undergarments, bonnet, stockings and leather shoes with silk rosettes signed C.C.
