Among Friends:The Billie & Paige Welker Collection
Wednesday, July 15, 2015 | 11:00 AM Central
Auction closed.
Among Friends:The Billie & Paige Welker Collection
Wednesday, July 15, 2015 | 11:00 AM Central
Auction closed.
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See Special Terms for additional fees
Description
An extraordinary private collection of rare French Bébés, German Characters, and American folk dolls of the highest order, among the treasures preserved by the prescient North Carolina couple.
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Very Rare German Bisque Art Character, 208, with Painted Eyes by Kestner 3000/4500
Lot # 1 (Sale Order: 1 of 328)
15" (38 cm.) Bisque socket head with plump face, brown painted eyes with white accent dots, red upper eyeliner, delicately fringed upper lashes, lightly feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, rounded nose, closed mouth with slightly fretful expression, accent line between the lips, original auburn mohair wig with side-coiled braids, composition and wooden ball-jointed body, pretty antique cotton print dress, undergarments, socks and shoes. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: C 1/2 made in Germany 1 1/2 208 (head) Germany (torso). Comments: Kestner, circa 1910, the very rare solemn-faced art character model was offered with either glass or painted eyes; few models exist. Value Points: most endearing expression achieved by very fine detail of sculpting with impressed details of dimples at the lip corners, around the eye corners and chin, original body and body finish.
German Bisque Googly, 323, by Marseille in Original Cossack Costume 500/700
Lot # 2 (Sale Order: 2 of 328)
7" (18 cm.) Bisque socket head, brown glass sleep and side-glancing googly eyes, painted lashes, brush-stroked brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with impish smile, impressed cheek dimples, brunette mohair wig, five-piece paper mache body with painted black boots. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 323 Germany A 11/0 M. Comments: Marseille, circa 1920. Value Points: impish googly wears all-original Cossack costume of velvet, silk and fur with "jewel" inlays.
Rare German Bisque Painted Eye Art Character by Marseille 3000/4000
Lot # 3 (Sale Order: 3 of 328)
16" (41 cm.) Bisque socket head, painted downcast pale blue intaglio eyes in well-defined eye sockets, white accent dots, black and red upper eyeliner, accented eye corners and nostrils, closed mouth with defined row of teeth between shaded lips, brunette human hair with side-coiled braids, composition and wooden ball-jointed body, antique woolen and silk dress, undergarments, socks, leather ankle boots. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Germany A 5 M. Comments: Marsaille, circa 1910. Value Points: rare painted art character from this firm, with exceptionally fine detail of eyes, rare painted teeth, finest bisque and painting, original body and body finish.
Wonderful American Early Cloth "Miss Chitty" Doll 2500/4500
Lot # 4 (Sale Order: 4 of 328)
17" (43 cm.) All-cloth doll with stitched-on shoulder head, flat-dimensional face, center seam at back of head and below the chin, stitched-on stuck-out ears, oil-painted complexion, short brown curls, painted facial features, large blue eyes, outlined nose, small mouth with downcast lips, stitch-jointing at shoulders, elbows, hip and knees, separate thumbs, wearing (frail) original homespun dress, undergarments and handmade shoes. Condition: original as found, complexion darkened. Comments: the American cloth doll, known as "Miss Chitty", is attributed to Emma Louisa Chitty of Old Salem, North Carolina, circa 1875, who is credited for inspiring and aiding Maggie and Bessie Pfohl in the creation of their slightly later doll. Very few of the "Miss Chitty" dolls were ever made and are quite rare. Value Points: the folk charm is enhanced by rarity, the doll bears a blue-ribbon award from UFDC national convention in 2002, and a handwritten note, "Ione Fuller's doll, Red Bird - First word I learned to say".
Fine American Cloth Doll by Izannah Walker with Ringlet Curls and Rare Painted Shoes 12,000/18,000
Lot # 5 (Sale Order: 5 of 328)
18" (46 cm.) Cloth doll with pressed and oil-painted complexion and facial features, center-parted hair with two shaded ringlet curls in front of each stitch-shaped ear, and then forming into ringlet curls that tumble onto her nape, outlined brown eyes with thin black outlines, well-defined eyelids, lightly stroked brows, rounded nose, closed mouth with accent line between the lips, firmly stuffed body with stitch jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, defined applied thumbs, unusual original blue sateen body cover, oil-painted hands and lower legs, painted black ankle boots with lacing and bows, antique costume which may be original. Condition: generally excellent, very light typical craquelure on face. Comments: circa 1865, Izannah Walker, the Pawtucket, Rhode Island, doll creator who obtained a patent for her dolls in 1873, but likely had been making them for some time previously. Her patent described her purpose was to create a doll that is "easily kept clean and not apt to injure a young child which may fall upon it. It will preserve its appearance for a long time." An inventive and hardy New Englander, she "made dolls and doll furniture, tinkered with household gadgets, designed a parlor heater 'that beat Ben Franklins', raised canaries, dabbled in real estate and was looked upon with admiration by male contemporaries because of her skill with carpenters' tools..." according to a contemporary write-up in the Providence Bulletin. Value Points: deservedly the most prized of American folk dolls with fine artistry of painting, rare ringlet curled hair style with exquisite detail of shaded color, rare body style with blue sateen body cover and painted ankle boots. The Izannah Walker doll has rightfully been compared to the celebrated American folk art canvas paintings of William Matthew Prior (1806-1873).
Fine All-Original American Cloth Oil-Painted Doll Known as "Maggie-Bessie" 6000/8000
Lot # 6 (Sale Order: 6 of 328)
14" (36 cm.) All-cloth doll with flat-dimensional face except for shaped chin, oil-painted complexion and facial features, painted golden-brown center-parted hair in soft swirling curls, bright blue eyes with white eye dots, eyeliner, one-stroke brows, outlined nose with accent dots, closed mouth with extended center line, stitch jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, separate thumbs, wearing original rose cotton dress with handmade rick-rack trim, original undergarments, stockings, bonnet and rose shoes with little buckles. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: known as Maggie-Bessie doll in reference to the Pfohl sisters of North Carolina who created the doll, early 20th century; according to a statement made by one sister, only 140 of the dolls were ever created. Value Points: a veritable work of art on canvas formed into a child's doll is superbly preserved and all original, with finest oil-painted complexion and features.
American Cloth Brown-Eyed "Columbian Doll" by Emma Adams 2000/3000
Lot # 7 (Sale Order: 7 of 328)
15" (38 cm.) All-cloth doll with stitched-on shoulder plate head over muslin form, gusseted seam line at the crown, flat-dimensional rounded face with oil-painted complexion, facial features, and short brown shaded curls, shaded brown eyes with short-stroke brows, outlined nose, painted bow-shaped mouth, muslin stitch-shaped body, nice antique costume, undergarments, shoes. Condition: generally excellent, fine original finish. Comments: Emma Adams of Oswego, New York, whose doll was named the Columbian Doll after being awarded a Gold Medal at the Chicago 1893 International Exposition; this was the first American doll to be awarded the Gold Medal at any international exposition, an honor previously bestowed mostly on French doll firms such as Jumeau. Value Points: beautiful painting of features with artistic detailing such as little crinkle to lip corners and shading of eyes.
American Cloth Folk Doll with Painted Ears Known as "Maggie-Bessie" 7000/9500
Lot # 8 (Sale Order: 8 of 328)
18" (46 cm.) All-cloth doll constructed with five pie slice-shaped seams at the back of the head from the center crown, small chin seam, flat dimensional face, oil-painted complexion, hair and features, short brown center-parted hair with little tendrils of curls above the painted ears, large shaded blue eyes, painted brows and eyeliner, outlined nose with accented nostrils, small closed mouth with prim lips, firmly stuffed body with stitch jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, separate thumb, wearing original costume with neatly embroidered bodice. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: an early model of the American folk doll by Maggie and Bessie Pfohl of Old Salem, North Carolina, circa 1890. The doll was featured on the Spring 1999 cover of Doll News. Value Points: very fine artistry of painted complexion and facial features on the well-preserved early example of the "Maggie-Bessie" doll, with rare painted ears.
Very Fine Petite German Art Character, 150, by Simon and Halbig 6000/8000
Lot # 9 (Sale Order: 9 of 328)
13" (33 cm.) Bisque socket head with slender elongated features depicting an older child, deeply set painted brown eyes with defined hollows and upper lids, black upper eyeliner, one-stroke angled brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with accent line between the very full lips, blonde mohair wig, composition and wooden ball-jointed body, antique costume. Condition: generally excellent, original body and body finish. Marks: 150 S&H 2/0. Comments: Simon and Halbig from their art character series, circa 1910. Value Points: very rare model with outstanding sculpting especially for this more petite model, and enhanced by finest touches of lustrous patina.
Pair, German All-Bisque Black-Stocking Dolls in Original Costumes and Box 700/900
Lot # 10 (Sale Order: 10 of 328)
4" (10 cm.) Each is all-bisque with swivel head, brown sleep eyes, painted lashes and brows, open mouth, four tiny teeth, blonde mohair wig, peg-jointed bisque arms and legs, painted black stockings and brown shoes. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 3/0. Comments: Germany, circa 1890, attributed to Simon and Halbig. Value Points: the dolls are wearing their vibrant and colorful factory-original knit costumes, and are presented in original gift box with decorative papers.
Outstanding German Bisque Art Character, Model 152, by Simon and Halbig 11,000/17,000
Lot # 11 (Sale Order: 11 of 328)
20" (51 cm.) Bisque socket head with slender angular features depicting an adult lady, aquiline nose, painted brown eyes with heavily modeled lids and well-sculpted eye sockets, thickly fringed lashes, brush-stroked brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with solemn expression, shaded lips, pierced ears, brunette mohair wig, composition and wooden fully jointed lady body with defined bosom, tiny waist and accentuated derriere, antique original gown and undergarments, leather boots. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Simon and Halbig, their 152 model of adult lady, presented by the firm, circa 1910, and, according to research by German scholar Marianne Cieslik, possibly a portrait model of Rosa Luxemburg (1870-1919), the Polish-born German intellectual and social reformer whose short life was spent advocating the rights of the common man and woman, and who was considered a heroine in her time. Value Points: the great rarity of the model with intriguing historical background is enhanced by her exceptional artistry of sculpting and finest quality of bisque, original body, body finish and wig.
Beautiful French Bisque Brown-Eyed "Bebe Francais" by Emile Jumeau in Original Dress 3500/4500
Lot # 12 (Sale Order: 12 of 328)
14" (36 cm.) Bisque socket head with heart-shaped face, brown glass paperweight inset eyes, dark eyeliner, lushly painted lashes, brush-stroked brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with outlined lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, French composition and wooden fully jointed body. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: B. 5 F. (and artist checkmarks). Comments: Bebe Francais, by Emile Jumeau, circa 1890, the rare model was created by Jumeau after winning his lawsuit against Danel et Cie, and appears to the be forerunner of the Jumeau 225 art character doll to which it is virtually identical. Value Points: rare bebe with beautiful wide-eyed expression and bisque, original body and body finish, beautiful original rose silk dress with black Alencon lace, undergarments, woven bonnet, stockings, and shoes.
German All-Bisque Black-Stocking Girl, Model 886, by Simon and Halbig 800/1100
Lot # 13 (Sale Order: 13 of 328)
8 1/2" (22 cm.) All bisque with kid-edged swivel head, brown glass inset eyes, painted lashes, brush-stroked brows, accented nostrils, open mouth, four porcelain tiny teeth, peg-jointed bisque arms and legs, painted black stockings, brown two-strap heeled shoes with little bows, brunette human hair braids. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 4 886. Comments: Simon and Halbig, circa 1890. Value Points: sought-after so-called black-stocking model with dramatic large brown eyes, wearing pretty antique dress and undergarments.
French Wooden Doll Cabinet with Faux Inlay Designs and Bear Finial 500/700
Lot # 14 (Sale Order: 14 of 328)
18" (46 cm.) The dark walnut wooden cabinet has chip-carved detail on sides, base and crest which centers the carved figure of an upright bear, with double full-length doors having four panels that are decorated with faux inlay to appear as though exotic woods. Generally excellent. French, circa 1880.
Beautiful and All-Original French Bisque Bebe with R.R. Markings in Couturier Costume 6000/8500
Lot # 15 (Sale Order: 15 of 328)
26" (66 cm.) Bisque socket head, brown glass paperweight inset eyes, dark eyeliner encircles the eye cut, painted lashes, widely arched brush-stroked brows, accented eye corners, shaded nostrils, closed mouth, defined space between the shaded and outlined lips, pierced ears, brunette human hair wig over cork pate, French composition and wooden fully jointed body. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: R 12 R. Comments: Emile Jumeau, circa 1890, the doll was specially commissioned from Jumeau by the mystery firm designated as R.R. Value Points: very lovely presence and quality of bisque, the doll wears original superb couturier peach silk antique costume, fine bonnet, undergarments, and signed Jumeau shoes.
Petite French Bisque Poupee by Leontine Rohmer, Original Trousseau and Accessories 15,000/20,000
Lot # 16 (Sale Order: 16 of 328)
14" (36 cm.) Bisque swivel head with flat-cut neck socket on unique and original bisque shoulder plate designed to prevent the head from turning an unrealistic 360 degrees, with deposed head/neck attachment at crown (under wig), very plump face, painted blue upper-glancing eyes with shaded detail, thick black upper eyeliner, painted upper and lower lashes, arched and feathered brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with center accent line, unpierced ears, brunette human hair over cork pate, horsehair-filled kid poupee body, brass grommet holes in torso for string-sitting system (ribbons missing), gusset-jointed knees, wooden lower legs, porcelain arms from above the elbows. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: (Rohmer oval stamp on torso). Comments: Leontine Rohmer, circa 1860. Value Points: most beautiful model with rare deposed articulation systems is beautifully preserved in her original early French trunk with various compartments and layers, and owns a superb original trousseau, comprising 12 complete ensembles for various social events or day wear, an assortment of various undergarments and partial costumes, four pairs of early shoes, four pairs of woven stockings, five fancy bonnets, four caps, snood, chemisette and sleeves, fur collar with foxtails, fur muff in unusual "Voila le Plaisir" container, and more.
Rare German Bisque Portrait of Highly Characterized Woman by Mystery Maker 30,000/40,000
Lot # 17 (Sale Order: 17 of 328)
23" (58 cm.) Bisque socket head, very elongated lower face having very full throat and pronounced shape of nose, small blue glass sleep eyes, mohair lashes, painted lower lashes, slightly modeled brows with feathered details, shaded nostrils, closed mouth with slightly downcast outlined lips, impressed chin dimple, unpierced ears, brunette human hair wig, composition and wooden ball-jointed body, antique costume comprising black taffeta jacket, woven bonnet, silk costume, undergarments, and kidskin shoes. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Germany, circa 1900, mystery maker, possibly Simon and Halbig. Value Points: extremely rare model of which other models are not known to exist, having highly characterized artistic sculpting with most distinctive features, finest quality of bisque and painting.
American Cloth Portrait Doll of George Washington in Original Costume by Martha Chase 6000/9000
Lot # 18 (Sale Order: 18 of 328)
25" (64 cm.) All-cloth doll with pressed and oil-painted facial features to depict George Washington, having blue painted narrow eyes with heavy eyelids, single-stroke brows, aquiline nose, closed mouth with strong lips and jaw, impasto thickly painted white hair that forms into a ponytail at the nape, cotton sateen body cover, stitch-jointed arms and legs, oil-painted hands and feet with defined fingers and toes, wearing factory-original blue and gold silk suit with lace jabot and cuffs, black stockings and shoes. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: The Chase Stockinet Doll Made of Stockinet and Cloth... (original paper label on back). Comments: Martha Chase, late 19th century, the model may have been inspired by the centennial celebration of Washington's 1789 inauguration. Value Points: very rare doll with distinctive portrait sculpting that perfectly captures Washington's person, in perfectly preserved original condition with most artistic painting of complexion, features and hair.
American Cloth Blue-Eyed Doll with Bobbed Hair by Martha Chase 800/1000
Lot # 19 (Sale Order: 19 of 328)
16" (41 cm.) All-cloth doll with pressed and oil-painted facial features, rosy complexion and impasto painted blonde hair which has straight bangs and bobbed Dutch-style shape, large brown eyes, painted curly upper lashes, brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth, sateen torso cover, jointing at shoulder and hips, pretty antique costume. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: (Martha Chase logo stamp on leg). Comments: Martha Chase, circa 1915. Value Points: rare bobbed hair style and beautifully painted solemn expression on the wonderfully preserved doll.
Rare and Very Fine American Black Cloth Character Doll by Martha Chase 6000/8500
Lot # 20 (Sale Order: 20 of 328)
26" (66 cm.) Stockinette cloth head with pressed and oil-painted rich brown complexion and facial features, painted dark brown eyes with two white eye dots in each eye, black upper eyeliner, black painted brows, broad nose, full lips of closed mouth, very plump cheeks and chin, stitch-shaped ears, black fleecy hair, brown cotton sateen torso, brown oil-painted hands and bare feet, antique costume. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Chase Doll (original paper label on back torso). Comments: Martha Chase, circa 1895. Value Points: one of the rarest models by that firm, in exceptional size suggesting its possible origin as an exhibition doll, and having distinctive artistic facial modeling and painting, and preserved in near mint condition.
Chinese Carved Wooden Doll with Original Costume and Unique Assembly 1200/1600
Lot # 21 (Sale Order: 21 of 328)
13" (33 cm.) Carved wooden socket head with solid bald dome excepting defined block of comb-marked hair at center front crown, cut eye sockets with painted eyes, defined ears, closed mouth with hint of smile, all-wooden body with torso that separates at the sides for access to unusual torso assembly, jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Chinese, the wood, carving and characterization is in the manner of Door of Hope Mission dolls, circa 1910. Value Points: wonderful detail of carving, unusual hair, expressive features, rare body assembly, and wonderful embroidered silk costume.
Splendid French Black-Complexioned Bisque Bebe by Leon Casimir Bru 18,000/25,000
Lot # 22 (Sale Order: 22 of 328)
17" (43 cm.) Pressed bisque swivel head with ebony-black complexion, on kid-edged bisque shoulder plate with modeled bosom and shoulder blades, amber-brown glass paperweight inset eyes with spiral threading, black eyeliner, painted lashes, black sculpted brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with full lips, pierced ears, black mohair fleecy wig over cork pate, kid bebe body with scalloped collarette, gusset jointing at hips and knees, black bisque forearms with finely sculpted fingers, antique silk and velvet dress, undergarments, stockings, shoes. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Bru Jne 6 (head) No. 6 Bru Jne (shoulders) (original Bru paper label on torso). Comments: Leon Casimir Bru, circa 1882. Value Points: splendid and rare black-complexioned bebe with fine luminous flawless bisque, original body with perfect bisque hands.
Very Rare Petite French Bisque Bebe A.T., Size 1, by Andre Thuillier 11,000/16,000
Lot # 23 (Sale Order: 23 of 328)
9 1/2" (24 cm.) Bisque socket head with very full cheeks and throat, deep blue glass paperweight inset eyes with spiral threading, dark eyeliner, painted lashes, feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with outlined lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, French composition and wooden fully jointed body, antique costume. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: A 1 T. Comments: Andre Thuillier, circa 1882. Value Points: very rare petite size 1 with entrancing expression and splendid eyes, body in near mint condition.
Outstanding German Bisque Art Character as Polichinelle by Simon and Halbig 11,000/18,000
Lot # 24 (Sale Order: 24 of 328)
23" (58 cm.) Bisque socket head with sharply angular facial features, pronounced long pointing nose and pointy chin, high cheekbones and incised wrinkles at outer eye corners, high angled brows with sculpting detail, furrowed brows, brown glass sleep eyes, painted lower lashes, closed mouth with grimace smile, outlined lips, row of painted teeth, brunette human hair, Sonneberg composition and wooden fully jointed body. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: attributed to Simon and Halbig from their 1300 series, circa 1900, for the French market. Value Points: extremely rare model with outstanding sculpting and bisque, wonderful antique Polichinelle costume with signature humps and bicorn hat may be original and is superbly appropriate for the bisque model.
Beautiful French Bisque Portrait Bebe by Emile Jumeau 6000/8000
Lot # 25 (Sale Order: 25 of 328)
12" (30 cm.) Pressed bisque socket head, large grey/blue glass inset eyes known as "wrap-around" with spiral threading and pronounced black pupils, painted lashes, dark eyeliner, rose-blushed eye shadow, feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth, outlined lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, French composition and wooden eight-loose-ball-jointed body with straight wrists, pretty antique aqua silk costume, undergarments, leather slippers. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 8/0 (head) Jumeau Medaille d'Or Paris (body). Comments: Emile Jumeau, circa 1878. Value Points: very sought-after early portrait model bebe with entrancing large shape of richly threaded eyes, finest quality of bisque and painting, original body and body finish.
