"The Well-Bred Doll"
Saturday, March 31, 2012 | 11:00 AM Pacific
Auction closed.
"The Well-Bred Doll"
Saturday, March 31, 2012 | 11:00 AM Pacific
Auction closed.
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Description
An Auction of Exceptional Antique Dolls and Automata
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German Bisque Character Toddler, 7761, by Gebruder Heubach 1100/1500
Lot # 26 (Sale Order: 26 of 251)
9" (23 cm.) Solid domed bisque socket head, painted hair in short boyish fashion, painted facial features with squinting tiny blue eyes, black upper eyeliner, one-stroke brows, closed mouth with downcast fretful expression, five-piece toddler body with painted shoes and socks, nicely costumed. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Heubach (square) 7761 Germany. Comments: Gebruder Heubach, circa 1910. Value Points: sought-after rare character model with most realistic expression, especially fine sculpting appears nearly to be hand-pressed,
German Bisque Painted-Eye Character by Marseille with Pouting Expression 800/1200
Lot # 27 (Sale Order: 27 of 251)
10" (25 cm.) Solid domed bisque socket head, brown painted hair in short boyish fashion, deep blue painted intaglio eyes with pronounced black pupils, short-stroke brows, closed mouth with downcast pouting expression, accented lips, composition and wooden ball-jointed body, wearing antique cotton play suit. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Made in Germany A1M 2/0 DRGM. Comments: Marseille, circa1910. Value Points: rare character with exceptionally nice quality of bisque and painting especially for smaller model, great costume.
German Bisque Character Girl, 114, by Kammer and Reinhardt in Charming Folklore Costume 2600/3500
Lot # 27.1 (Sale Order: 28 of 251)
18" (46 cm.) Bisque socket head depicting a very characterized pouting child, painted facial features, dark blue shaded eyes, thick black upper eyeliner, one-stroke tapered brows, rounded nose with accented nostrils, very full lips of closed mouth with shaded and accented lips, blonde mohair wig, composition and wooden ball-jointed body. Condition: generally excellent, some typical wig pulls at back of head. Marks: K*R 114 46. Comments: Kammer and Reinhardt, circa 1910, the model marketed as "Gretchen" from their art character series. Value Points: very fine modeling with fine luminous bisque, wearing charming antique folklore costume and cap.
Extremely Rare Grand-Sized French Bisque Bebe A.T. by Thuillier in Superb Costume 28,000/36,000
Lot # 28 (Sale Order: 29 of 251)
38" (97 cm.) Bisque socket head, deep blue glass paperweight inset eyes, thick dark eyeliner, lushly-painted lashes, brush-stroked brows with feathered highlights, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with well-shaped outlined lips, pierced ears, brunette human hair hand-tied wig over cork pate, French composition fully-jointed body. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: A 15 T. Comments: Andre Thuillier, circa 1888. Value Points: exceptionally-rare grand size of the beloved bebe with superb quality of sculpting, bisque and painting, original body and body finish, and blue velvet antique costume with fine lace collar and cuffs, undergarments, stockings, leather shoes, and fine bonnet.
French Bisque Bebe Gigoteur by Jules Steiner with Original Costume 2000/3000
Lot # 29 (Sale Order: 30 of 251)
18" (46 cm.) Solid domed bisque head with flat-cut neck socket, blue glass paperweight inset eyes, dark eyeliner, painted lashes, brush-stroked and feathered brows, accented nostrils, open mouth, outlined lips, row of porcelain teeth, pierced ears, lambswool wig, carton torso with mechanism, paper mache arms and lower legs. When wound, the bebe turns its head from side to side, waves arms and legs in baby-like fashion and cries "mama". Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Jules Steiner, his model marketed as "Bebe Gigoteur", circa 1880. Value Points: the charming doll with realistic childlike activity, has arresting blue eyes, fine quality of bisque, original wig, original costumes, functions well.
French Arrangement of Seashell Art Flowers in Dome 300/500
Lot # 30 (Sale Order: 31 of 251)
22" (56 cm.) A woven basket with an exuberant arrangement of flowers constructed of hand-painted tiny seashells, with garland-trimmed handle, is preserved under its original glass dome on a wooden base. A wide variety of flowers are shown, each with remarkable verisimilitude. Excellent condition. French, circa 1880, wonderful creations of seashell art were created in fishing villages of Normandy and Brittany during the winter months; this example is especially artful.
All-Original French Automaton "The Gentleman Wine Taster" by Roullet & Decamps 7500/9500
Lot # 31 (Sale Order: 32 of 251)
19" (48 cm.) excluding hat. Standing upon a velvet-covered wooden base is a bisque-head gentleman with brown glass paperweight eyes, lushly-painted lashes and brows, slightly-parted lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, carton torso and legs, wire upper arms, bisque forearms. He is wearing his original gentleman's evening costume of ivory satin breeches, ivory silk faille vest with painted design, silk striped jacket, shirt, bow tie, medal, boutonniere, black stockings and shoes and a fine top hat. When wound, music plays. He turns his head to the right, and his right hand lifts the bottle of "Vieux Bordeaux" red wine that he holds, extends toward his left hand and "pours" himself a glass. His left hand then lifts the glass to his face which bends forward to the glass, he sips, then repeats and sips again. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism and music function well. Marks: Depose Tete Jumeau Bte SGDG 2 (and artist checkmarks). Comments: Roullet et Decamps with Jumeau bisque head, circa 1895, the automaton appeared, in this exact costume including flowers on hat, in their catalog as model 310 and named simply "Buveur", a rare model of which few exist and virtually none in this original costume.
French Luxury Musical Necessaire in the Shape of Pianoforte 2500/3500
Lot # 32 (Sale Order: 33 of 251)
12" (30 cm.) l. The wooden pianoforte has superb marquetry veneers in cherry and mahogany pattern, with bronze lock and key, and additional winding key for a music box that is hidden below the velvet cushion. The piano lid hinges open to reveal a superbly-fitted velvet-lined interior with sewing accessories including repousse silver scissors, needlecase, and awl, mother-of-pearl thread winders, and more. When wound, and lid opened the music box, of luxury sound and quality, plays. Excellent condition, one small crack on inside lid mirror at edge. French, circa 1875, of luxury quality such as objects sold at Maison Giroux in Paris.
Very Beautiful French Bisque Bebe by Leon Casimir Bru with Mulatto Complexion 16,000/23,000
Lot # 33 (Sale Order: 34 of 251)
17" (43 cm.) Bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulder plate with modeled definition of bosom and shoulder blades, light amber-brown complexion, amber-brown glass paperweight inset eyes, dark eyeliner, painted darkest brown lashes and feathered brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with outlined lips, pierced ears, black mohair wig over cork pate, brown-tinted kid bebe body with slender shape, scalloped-edge collarette, kid-over-wooden upper arms, brown composition lower arms and hands, Chevrot-hinged hips, composition lower legs, beautifully costumed in cream cashmere-wool dress with red velvet and silk trim, lace collar and matching lace bonnet, undergarments, knit socks, brown leather rosette shoes. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Bru Jne 7 (head and shoulders) (original Bru label on torso). Comments: Leon Casimir Bru, Chevrot epoch, circa 1888. Value Points: very beautiful golden-brown complexion with enhancing luminous patina is flawlessly preserved, with sturdy original body on the very rare doll.
Two Neopolitan Figures in Original Elaborate Costumes 800/1200
Lot # 34 (Sale Order: 35 of 251)
12" (30 cm.) Each has terra cotta head with sculpted hair in wind-blown fashion, and painted facial features, hemp-wrapped body with terra cotta hands and shoes. Condition: generally excellent, possible early re-varnishing of heads. Comments: Neopolitan, early 19th century. Value Points: including woman with red hair band and woman with loosely-coiled chignon, each with outstanding detail of silk costumes with lace and embroidered detail, Latin paper linings, with artistically-painted shoes and stockings.
Neopolitan Man and Woman in Original Silk Costumes 800/1200
Lot # 35 (Sale Order: 36 of 251)
12" (30 cm.) Each has terra cotta head with sculpted hair and painted facial features, hemp-wrapped body with terra cotta hands and lower legs, including woman with red painted snood and shoes, blue painted stockings, and elaborate fabric gown with gold metallic bands, and man with extended arm, wind-blown hair, silk shirt and jacket, trousers, sash, green painted stockings with black shoes. Condition: generally excellent, faces may have early re-varnishing. Comments: Neopolitan, early 19th century. Value Points: rare costumes on the early figures are beautifully-preserved with original Latin paper linings.
Rare French Bisque Smiling Poupee w/Cafe-au-Lait Complexion by Leon Casimir Bru 8000/12,000
Lot # 36 (Sale Order: 37 of 251)
17" (43 cm.) Bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulder plate with soft brown complexion known as "cafe-au-lait", brown glass enamel inset eyes, dark eyeliner, painted curly lashes, black feathered brows, accented nostrils of aquiline nose, closed mouth with full coral-shaded lips, pierced ears, black mohair wig over original muslin cap and cork pate, brown-tinted kid poupee body with square-cut collarette, gusset-jointing at elbows, hips and knees, stitched and separated fingers. Condition: generally excellent, head, shoulderplate and body are originally together. Marks: F (head) G (shoulder plate). Comments: Leon Casimir Bru, circa 1873, who deposed this unique smiling facial model in the French courts in that year. Value Points: extremely rare, no other example of the beloved model known as "Smiling Bru" is known with this complexion, this example being flawless with exquisitely-painted features, fine original purple satin and wool fashion costume, bonnet, undergarments, jewelry, leather ankle boots. $8000/12,000
German Bisque Child with Closed Mouth by Kestner with Excelsior Body 1200/1700
Lot # 37 (Sale Order: 38 of 251)
28" (71 cm.) Bisque socket head, blue glass sleep eyes, dark eyeliner, painted lashes, brush-stroked brows with decorative glaze, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with accented lips, blonde mohair wig over plaster pate, composition and wooden ball-jointed body, wearing pretty antique dress with cutwork trim, undergarments, leather boots, stockings, and fancily-ruffled lace cap. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: L 1/2 made in Germany 15 1/2 (head) Excelsior Germany (body). Comments: Kestner, circa 1890. Value Points: beautiful face with fine complexion and painting, original signed body and body finish, original wig.
Pair, German Bisque Bride and Groom in Original Wedding Costumes by Kestner 2000/3000
Lot # 38 (Sale Order: 39 of 251)
14" (36 cm.) and 16". Each has bisque socket head, brown glass sleep eyes, painted lashes and brows, accented nostrils, the groom with closed mouth, the bride with slightly-parted lips and four porcelain teeth, blonde mohair or lambswool wig, composition and wooden ball-jointed body. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 7 (or 8). Comments: Kestner, circa 1890. Value Points: the bride and groom are wearing their original family-made bride and groom costumes, hers of lovely ivory silk satin with train and lace veil.
French Globe de Mariage with Ormolu Accessories and Silk Flowers 400/600
Lot # 39 (Sale Order: 40 of 251)
20" (51 cm.) Arranged upon a wooden oval dome with ebony finish, under blown glass dome, is an ormolu-framed vignette with beveled miniature mirrors, marguerites, oak leaves and a love bird, each symbolizing aspects of a happy marriage. Arranged upon the velvet cushion that centers the scene is a bouquet of bridal silk flowers, along with a crystal and glass bead necklace and other floral boutonnieres. Excellent condition. French, circa 1885, the globes de mariage were traditionally created to symbolize a young couple's hopes for their married future.
French Earliest Period Bisque Bebe Premiere by Emile Jumeau 5000/7500
Lot # 40 (Sale Order: 41 of 251)
12" (30 cm.) Bisque socket head with very full cheeks, blue glass enamel inset eyes with spiral-threaded irises, dark eyeliner, delicately-painted lashes and brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with outlined lips, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, pierced ears, French composition and wooden eight-loose-ball-jointed body with straight wrists, wearing antique rose sateen dress with hip sash, lace trim, lovely rose silk bonnet, undergarments, stockings, leather shoes signed "P" in script. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 4 (head) Jumeau Medaille d'Or Paris (body). Comments: Emile Jumeau, circa 1878. Value Points: the early shy-faced premiere bebe is especially dear in this tiny size, with very beautiful bisque, painting and eyes, original body and body finish, fine antique costume.
Two Rare German All-Bisque Miniature Figurines 300/500
Lot # 41 (Sale Order: 42 of 251)
3" (8 cm.) Each is one-piece pink-tinted bisque depicting a mythological figure of Mermaid or Merman atop a sea animal, he with uniquely sculpted facial features and hair, riding a large fish, she with blue painted hair, riding a seahorse, both with tails. Condition: generally excellent. Germany, attributed to Hertwig, circa 1920.
Very Rare and Beautiful French Bisque Bebe, Series G, by Jules Steiner 18,000/27,000
Lot # 42 (Sale Order: 43 of 251)
28" (71 cm.) Bisque socket head with very full elongated cheeks, large blue glass paperweight inset eyes, dark eyeliner, painted lashes with dot highlights, mauve-blushed eye shadow, accented eye corners, shaded nostrils, closed mouth with defined space between the shaded and outlined lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair elongated wig over cork pate, French composition fully-jointed body. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: J. Steiner Bte SGDG J. Bourgoin (ink lettered signature) G Sie G 6 (incised). Comments: Jules Steiner, circa 1885. Value Points: among the rarest of the Jules Steiner models, this example has exceptionally fine quality of modeling including most charming "pointy-tip" nose and expressive lips, very luminous eyes, and finest quality bisque and painting of both complexion and features, original body and body finish, and beautiful antique costume with lace-edged Bertha collar, extravagant bonnet, undergarments, pink knit stockings, and leather shoes signed "Modes de Paris".
French Automaton with Very Rare Black Bisque Character Face by Lambert 8000/13,000
Lot # 43 (Sale Order: 44 of 251)
23" (58 cm.) Balanced on one toe upon a velvet-covered base is a bisque-headed man with ebony black complexion, having highly-characterized features with wide beaming smile that accent his high cheek bones, angular chin and temple, brown glass inset eyes, black fleecy wig, carton torso and legs in stylized pose, the right foot on tip-toe (attached to metal rod from the base), and the left leg crossed as though dancing, wire upper arms, black bisque hands. He holds a black lacquer tray in one hand and a metal gilt clip in the other. When wound, music plays and he circles around on one tip toe. Condition: generally excellent, music and mechanism function well. Marks: L.B. (initials on key). Comments: Leopold Lambert, circa 1890, the dramatic piece was intended to attract the attention of passers-by; a calling card would be held in the metal clip with more cards laid in the tray. Value Points: rare automaton with superb silk costume and shoes, perfectly-preserved and having very rare bisque character face with luminous black complexion.
French Bisque "Little Girl with Balloon" Mechanical Toy by Vichy with Original Costume 2800/4300
Lot # 44 (Sale Order: 45 of 251)
10" (25 cm.) Standing upon a three-wheeled tinplate base with original painted finish is a bisque-head girl with brown glass paperweight inset eyes, painted features, closed mouth, pierced ears, brunette mohair wig over cork pate, carton torso and legs, bisque hands. She is wearing her original red silk jacket dress with matching ribboned cap, with patterned silk bodice and skirt, red silk shoes, and appears to hold a tinplate balloon or ball with metal spiral handle in her right hand, with silk ribbons and brass bells. When wound, she moves forward, circles, and continues, while the spiral handle causes the balloon to bounce around. Condition: generally excellent, right forefinger broken at knuckle, tiny flakes on inside of left forefinger (hidden by ribbons). Marks: G.Vichy Paris (base). Comments: Vichy, Paris, circa 1875. Value Points: charming early toy with beautiful bisque face, rare to find with original costume, maker's signature.
Beautiful French Bisque Bebe Bru with Original Signed Bru Shoes 15,000/21,000
Lot # 45 (Sale Order: 46 of 251)
17" (43 cm.) Pressed bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulder plate with modeled bosom and shoulder blades, blue glass paperweight inset eyes, dark eyeliner, rose-blushed eye shadow, delicately-painted lashes and brows, accented eye corners, shaded nostrils, closed mouth with pale accented lips, suggestion of painted teeth, pierced ears, blonde lambswool wig over cork pate, kid bebe body with gusset-jointing at hips and knees, bisque lower arms with separately-sculpted fingers, beautifully-costumed in antique silk and velvet jacket dress, undergarments, maroon velvet purse, silk and velvet bonnet, stockings, leather shoes signed "B" in oval. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: (circle and dot symbol on head) 1/0 (left shoulder) Bte SGDG (forehead crown). Comments: Leon Casimir Bru, circa 1880, the bebe facial model was deposed by him on June 15, 1880, and is considered a signature bebe of that firm. Value Points: rare bebe of finest quality and artistry, wonderfully-preserved with very sturdy body, perfect hands, exquisite painting and beautiful antique costume including signed Bru shoes.
Very Fine Early 19th Century Wooden Doll with Shapely Legs 6000/9000
Lot # 46 (Sale Order: 47 of 251)
17" (43 cm.) One-piece wooden head and torso with oval egg-shaped head rounded at the back, small pointy chin, strong elongated throat with defined hollow, molded bosom with carved definition of bodice edge, midnight-brown hair painted smoothly over the crown with wisps of curls all around the forehead, sculpted ears, painted brown eyes, aquiline nose, closed mouth, dowel-jointing at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, beautifully-shaped hands, shapely calves with tiny ankles and slender feet, painted shoes, wearing early high-waist cotton dress. Condition: well-preserved original finish excepting rub on nose and chin. Comments: probably Obergammergau region of Europe, early 19th century. Value Points: rarity factors include sculpted bodice, shapely legs, fine original painting of hair on the early doll with compelling presence.
Early French Carved Wooden Soldier with Original Costume and Accessories 800/1200
Lot # 46.1 (Sale Order: 48 of 251)
18" (46 cm.) Posed upon his original wooden base is a carved wooden soldier with painted facial features and moustache, carved body with wire upper arms and wooden hands. Condition: very good, some fraility to costume textiles. Comments: French, early 19th century. Value Points: rare doll with exceptional detail of costume including decorated helmet, carrying pouches, rifle, and sword; a simple wire pull lever at the base connects with the soldier's arms, and when pulled, causes him to lift the rifle as in a formal procedure
An Outstanding Early Wooden Doll w/Rare Features and Important Historical Lineage 9000/14,000
Lot # 47 (Sale Order: 49 of 251)
20" (51 cm.) Carved wooden shoulder head depicting adult lady with slender oval face, strong elongated throat, carved defined ears with pierced ear holes, brown enamel eyes in deeply-set sockets, painted lashes and brows, brown lower eye shadow, aquiline nose with defined nostrils, closed mouth having defined teeth, original hand-tied human hair set in recessed hair area designed to take advantage of the way hair falls naturally. The shoulder head has a hidden center dowel that attaches to the well-defined adult lady shaped torso, with shapely wooden limbs having dowel-jointing at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, separately-sculpted fingers, and painted detail of stockings and shoes, comprising blue and white striped stockings, sculpted brown heeled shoes with red bows. The lady is wearing her original costume with early muslin chemise having embroidered detail with message word "Recuerdo" (memory) at the yoke, fine sheer muslin blouse with lace trim, padded maroon silk skirt with train and embroidered flowers, undergarments, garland of beaded tiny flowers in hair. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Continental, early 19th century, the doll is an important discovery in the history of the French poupee as its facial modeling, and, specifically, its unique recessed scalp, clearly influenced the 1869 deposed poupee of Alexandre Leverd; the Leverd poupee, made of bisque, was a virtual copy of this earlier wooden model. Value Points: extremely rare early wooden lady doll with exceptional beauty of sculpting and oil-painted complexion and features, wonderfully-detailed body with painted shoes and stockings, original wig and costume.
French Deposed Portrait Wax Doll Depicting General Mangin of France, with Provenance 800/1200
Lot # 48 (Sale Order: 50 of 251)
21" (53 cm.) Posed standing upon his original wooden plinth is a sculpted wax figure depicting the French General Charles Mangin (1866-1925), notable leader during WWI, with defined facial features including moustache, strong chin, and facial wrinkles identical to his historical photographs, and wearing original costume of khaki green twill uniform with miniature replicas of his medals including the Legion of Honour and with original cap and sculpted boots. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: General Mangin (paper label on front of base) "L'Union des Arts Fondation Rachel Boyer, Ouevre de Bienfaisance..." (paper label on base along with stamp "Union des Arts Modele Depose Juin 1915"). Comments: circa 1915, from a very rare series of deposed portrait model of French heroes of the First World War. Value Points: rare portrait model with original cloth costume, accessories, historical labels.
