Rare 'Bebe Musique' By Leon Casimir Bru
Lot #64
17" (43 cm). Pressed bisque socket head with
thick neck socket designed to perfectly
accommodate the wooden torso neck opening,
plumply modelled cheeks and chin, almond-shaped
blue glass enamel inset eyes with spiral
threading, painted lashes, brushstroked and multi-
feathered brows, accented eye corners, shaded
nostrils, closed mouth with modelled space
between the lips, and delicately painted teeth,
shaded and outlined lips, blushed chin and
earlobes, pierced ears, original lambswool wig
over cork pate, wooden body with slender torso,
rounded derriere, dowel jointing at shoulders,
elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles,
separately carved fingers, carved toes. The
interior of the torso contains a musical
mechanism which is wound through a keyhole at the
back torso. When wound and the doll's left arm is
raised, the tune plays one round; in order to
play another round, the arm must be raised again.
The music is exceptional music box quality.
CONDITION: Generally excellent, bisque and body
perfect, mechanism functions well. MARKS: (circle
dot symbol) Bru Jne 5 (head) (paper label with
drawings of musical instruments on paper label at
back torso, see photo) (also illegible body mark
at back torso). COMMENTS: Leon Casimir Bru, circa
1882. The model "Bebe Musique "was only mentioned
in 1882 and 1883 in a simple three-word
description in his firm's advertisements. No
examples of Bebe Musique have ever been found
before and until now it has been uncertain if the
model was ever actually made or simply proposed
in advertising. The rarity, the intricacy of the
mechanism and the quality of the music box
suggests that its production may have been by
special commission only. VALUE POINTS:
Exceptionally rare doll being sold from its
original French estate is impeccably preserved
with original wig, pate, body, music label, gold-
plated and silver key, and in original leather-
covered wooden trunk with old label "grenier"
(attic) on lid and having a small assortment of
old costumes, bonnet and gloves. $30,000/40,000
