Extremely Rare French Bisque Artist Doll by Albert Marque with Original Body
Lot #49
22" (56 cm.) Bisque socket head designed with a unique four- part mold has an elongated slender face with defined temples and very full cheeks, almond-shaped blue glass inset eyes, painted curly lashes, incised eyeliner that separates the upper lashes, brush-stroked and feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, rounded nose tip of curved nose, closed mouth with full lips, defined chin, prominent pierced ears, blonde mohair wig, uniquely-designed composition body with elongated torso, undefined waist, elongated composition upper arms and side-hip-jointed legs with shapely calves, small ankles, large feet, bisque lower arms with attached bisque ball-joint at the elbows, separately modeled fingers, lovely antique costume. Condition: generally excellent, very faint old curved vertical line on the throat appears original, flawless complexion, perfect original body and bisque hands. Marks: A. Marque (incised signature) #6 (red ink script). Comments: French, circa 1912. During the early 20th century during the epoch known as The Renaissance of the French Doll, the noted French sculptor Albert Marque (1872-1939) was commissioned to sculpt a doll. The doll was to depict a young girl poised on the threshold of womanhood. Her features were highly characterized, bold yet hesitant, elegant yet awkward, romantic yet realistic. The four part mold, unique in the doll industry, and with the added emphasis of hand-pressed details, allowed for this full expression. For the body design, Albert Marque enlisted the aid of a fellow artist, Aristodeme Botta; the completely unique body was produced in small cottage workshops. For the production of the head and bisque arms, Societe Francaise des Bebes et Jouets was chosen. It is believed less than 50 models of the doll were created, each numbered in red ink script, and it is probable that, at the time, a registration of these dolls was maintained in the Parisian boutique of Margaine Lacroix of Boulevard Haussman who costumed and presented the dolls to wealthy Parisians and foreign travelers. It is the only doll that Albert Marque ever created. He continued his work in bronze and terra cotta sculpture until his death in 1939, although living in great poverty. Value Points: extremely rare doll, this being #6 of the series of 50 dolls, its rarity is rivaled by its extraordinary artistry and quality of workmanship. Ex-collection Beverly Myers of Solon, Ohio until its acquisition by Geri Baker in 1993.
