Extremely Rare French Bisque Poupee with Unique Construction and Portrait Face
Lot #41
17" (44 cm). Bisque swivel head with flat-cut elongated throat, swivel-attached to original shoulder plate with sculpted blushed dimple at the center and unusually high throat extension, heart- shaped slender face with very high forehead, painted dark blue eyes in sculpted sockets, heavily modeled eyelids, dark eyeliner, grey eye shadow, arched feathered brows, painted lashes, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with center accent line, aquiline shaped nose, impressed dimples at lip corners, philtrum and below bottom lip, unpierced blushed ears, brunette mohair wig over cork pate, kid-over wooden poupee body with very shapely torso, accentuated derriere, dowel-jointing at shoulders, hips and knees, bisque arms to above the elbow with delicately curved elbows, cupped hands with defined fingers, well costumed regal gown of antique fabrics and seed pearls, pearl trimmed crown, undergarments, shoes signed "Maison Giroux Paris". Condition: generally excellent, small repair to one finger. Comments: maker unknown, circa 1867, the model was likely presented at the 1867 Paris Universal Exposition; only six other models are known to exist, among them one appearing in Theriault's A Fully Perfected Grace, and presumed to be a portrait of 18th century Princess Lamballe. The dolls may have been from a series of dolls representing French royalty. Value Points: the extreme rarity of the doll, as well as its superb refinement, unusual construction details, and elegant presence indicates its importance; its fine state of preservation enhance these features.
