Lenci Art - The Romberg Collection

Sunday, March 26, 2023Lots 1-171

Sunday, March 26, 2023 at Theriault's Gallery in Annapolis, Maryland


The Elaine Romberg Collection of Early Lenci Dolls, A One-Owner Collection at Theriault's Gallery in Annapolis, Maryland. Order your catalog today for the event. Live attendance bidding, live internet bidding, live telephone bidding and absentee bidding are available. For more information call 410-224-3655

Live Auction

Showing 1 - 171 of 171

Very Rare Portrait of Native American Chief from Early Premiere Series 2200/2800

Very Rare Portrait of Native American Chief from Early Premiere Series 2200/2800

Lot #1

20" (51 cm.) Rich amber brown felt swivel head with strongly featured nose and chin, stitched ears, painted blue side-glancing eyes, black painted brows and war paint details, black silk floss braids, firmly-stuffed amber brown felt torso and limbs, painted sunburst on his front torso, jointing at shoulders and hips, four stitched-together fingers, separate thumb. Wearing blue felt costume with embroidered and braided accents, fringed detail on pants and sleeves, belt with two separately attached felt holster and purse trimmed with beading, felt moccasins, wrapped headdress with bountiful felt "feathers" that cascade to his heels at the back. Condition: overall excellent with some light fading of costume at the front, headdress feathers are restored by R. John Wright. Comments: Lenci, circa 1920, the model was featured in the Paris department store catalog of Au Printemps in that year, described as "No 1 Chef Indien" at a price of 189 fr. Fifteen Lenci dolls were shown in that catalog, believed to be the premiere advertisement of her dolls. This model was #1 of her dolls, and was the most expensive in the ad. Value Points: extremely rare doll whose artistic details include facial and chest painting. Few examples are known to exist. Ex-Collection R. John Wright. The 1800s European fascination with the American Wild West, continued into the early 1900s, invigorated by the silent film industry. It is certain that Lenci was intrigued by this phenomenon also, as a few years later she actually presented a cowboy named Tom Mix in honor of the Hollywood silent film star.

 
Sold
Sold: $1,700
All Original Portrait of Cowboy Shown in Earliest 1920 Advertisement 3500/4500
Rare Boudoir Doll with Half-Closed Eyes, Model 161, with Metal Button 2200/2800
Pierrot with Mandolin from Commedia dell'Arte Series, Model 115A 1200/1500
Rare Female Variation of Pierrot, Variation Face, Guitar, Model 576, 1929 1200/2200
Extremely Rare Portrait Doll of "Josephine Baker", Banana Costume, Model 554 5000/7000
Rare Early Portrait Doll of Famed Bullfighters "Bombita", Model 267 1500/1800
Rare Italian Felt Lady, Lenci, Unusual Size, 1925 Catalog Cover Doll, Model 204 1100/1300
Black-Complexioned Bellman with Winking Expression, Model 107 1100/1300
Premiere Celebrity Doll "Salome", Unique Swivel Waist Construction, Model 104 1600/1900
Extremely Rare Italian Felt Portrait Doll of Valentino as "The Sheik" 12,000/17,000
Extremely Rare Premiere Issue Chinese Man with Costume Symbol 1200/1500
Early Model Dutch Boy with Character Face, Model 102, with early 1923 Button 700/900
Early Trademark Model of Chinese Opium Smoker with Pipe 1100/1300
Masked Harlequin from "Carnaval de Venise" Series for Paris Au Printemps 1200/1600
Premiere Model Black Complexioned Jester with Fancy Upturned Shoes 1000/1100
Very Rare Early Period Character Clown with Uniquely-Sculpted Face 2500/3500

Very Rare Early Period Character Clown with Uniquely-Sculpted Face 2500/3500

Lot #17

21" (53 cm.) including hat. Felt swivel head with elongated stitched-on mask face, pressed facial features, pointy chin, large stitched ears, "O" shaped down-glancing brown eyes, side-stroked large brows, red nose, angled mouth, clown decorations, black felt skull cap, elongated slender torso, jointing at shoulders, hips, and knees, arms modeled bent at the elbows, very slim legs with very elongated black felt feet. Wearing stitched-on black felt shirt and shoes, and with red and white checkered felt wide-leg pants decorated with black pom-poms which are repeated on his yellow clown hat, yellow sash with green band and red pom-pom which are repeated on his shoe tops, red and black ruffled felt collars and cuffs. Condition: doll is excellent except some typical wear to felt at the back neck as found on early models, costume vibrant and colorful with some few moth holes. Comments: Lenci, the style of face construction indicates 1920-21 production from the earliest models; another example is known with earliest Lenci medal button. Based upon its early production during the celebrity era, it is possible the doll was a portrait of a yet-unidentified famous clown of the era. Value Points: very rare model with face sculpted for this model only and enhanced with original hand-painted details of face and imaginative and colorful costume. While Pierrot and Harlequin ruled the French and Italian Commedia dell'arte during the early 1900s, providing a major source of inspiration for the early dolls of Lenci, the Circus was not far behind. The creation and design of clowns, for example, began with this early 1920 model and continued throughout the Scavini years in various sizes and facial models.

 
Sold
Sold: $4,200
Barefoot "Winker" in Original Costume, with Silver Lenci Button 600/800
Barefoot Native American "Winker" in Original Costume, with Silver Lenci Button 600/800
Red-haired "Winker" Girl with Basket of Vegetables, Model 264 800/1000
Extremely Rare Early Period Red-Haired Russian Cossack in Uniform 2500/3200
Fashionable "Meme" in Grey Felt Ensemble, Series 110/46 1200/1500
Girl in Red Checkered Dress with Jump Rope, Series 109/30 1200/1500
Elfin Figure "Uzzolo" with Leaf Hat, Model 271 1200/1700
Character "Pan" with Wooden Hooves and Horn Instrument, Model 203 800/1200
Character "Cupido" with Wings and Bow and Arrow, Model 276, Original Box 1500/2200
Very Rare Exotic Eastern Lady, Model 567, with Wooden Pipe 1400/1800
Red-Haired "Boris" with Vodka Jug, Model 275 1800/2200
Miniature Russian Boy in Similar Costume to "Ivan", Model 45 300/400
Very Rare Red-Haired "Ivan", Model 186, Traditional Russian Costume 3500/4500
Earliest Child Doll with Distinctive Plump Face, Model 108, with Metal Button 1100/1300
Early Period Side-Glancing Child with Dot Lashes 400/500
Rare Early Variation of Child Doll, Model 110, with Metal Button Tag 700/900
Very Rare Harlequin from Parisian "Carnaval de Venise" Exhibition, Series 193 4500/6500
The Red-Haired Partner Harlequin from "Carnaval de Venise", Series 194 3500/4500
Auburn-Haired Girl in Orange Felt Costume, Early Series 149/Z 500/800
Auburn-Haired Child in Fashionable Red Ensemble, Series 111 900/1200
"Boxer" with Leather Boxing Gloves, Model 1005 1100/1500
Early Portrait "Hu Sun" with Opium Pipe, Model 251, from Asian Series 7500/9500
Extremely Rare Character "Fukuruko", Model 190, from Asian Series 8000/11,000
Extremely Rare Sultan, Wooden Accessories, Tasseled Cushion, Model 168 6500/8500
Early Brown-Complexioned Felt African Girl 800/1100
Blonde Haired Child in Flower Garland Dress, Series 111/M 700/900
Miniature Chinese Boy on Turtle, Model 3009 400/600
Tousle-Haired "Renato" in Smoking Ensemble with Wooden Pipe, Series 300/G 1200/1600
Pink Pig Fetish with Original Label 400/500
Blonde Dutch Girl with Pot of Tulips, Series 300/V 1100/1300
Brown-Eyed Dutch Boy with Shoulder Buckets 1100/1300
Extremely Rare Chinese Girl, "Dschang-Go", Model 188 7500/9500
Rare Chinese Boy with Rare Original Lantern, Series 300/59 3500/4500
Tousle-Haired "Flammetta" With Variation of Coiffure, Series 400/E 500/700
Brown-Haired Child in Bright Orange Ensemble, Series 450 600/800
Bobbed-Hair "Elena" as Tennis Player, Series 400/G 500/700
Slender Teen-Age Flapper Girl in Fashionable Costume, Series 400/D 500/700
Rare "Bellhop" with Distinctive Body Pose, Model 563 1800/2200
Brunette Child in Yellow Organdy Costume, Series 111 800/1100
Brown-Haired Young Boy in Checkered School Costume 800/1000
Brown-Haired Girl with Pin-Wheel Applique Dress, Series 900 300/400
Blonde Child in Fashionable Costume, Series/64 600/800
Italian Cloth Character by Lenci as Polo Player from Sports Series 1200/1500
Blonde "Alice" in Organdy and Felt Dress, Series 109 1200/1500
Brown-Complexioned "Sam" as "The Sultan's Moorish Guard", Model 260 4500/5500
Rare Brown-Complexioned Child Doll "Kufi" in Checkered Dress, Style 261 3500/4500
Winker Clown as Hand Puppet, Series 335/3 300/400
Brunette Character Boy, 1000 Sport Series, in Ski Costume with Accessories 1600/2100
Blonde Boy in School Uniform, Series 149/21 700/900
Blonde-Haired Toddler Boy as Golfer, Series XX/12 500/700
Tousle-Haired Miniature Boy in Pajamas with Candlestick, Series XX/5 400/500
Tousle-Haired Miniature Girl with Honey Jar, Series XX/39 400/600
Tousle-Haired Blonde Tyrolean Boy, Series XX 500/700
Brunette Haired Boy in Black Velvet Suit, Series 300 1100/1400
Brown-Haired Smiling Girl in Yellow Organdy Dress, Series 149/29 1200/1500
Brown-Haired Boy in Caped Overcoat, Series 70/6 600/800
Brunette Girl in Yellow Organdy Dress, Series 70/2 600/800
Pair, Felt Miniature Bride and Groom 1800/2300
Felt "Winker" Hand Puppet Variation of Jackie Coogan 600/800
Felt Miniature Portrait Doll of Jackie Coogan 1100/1300
Brown-Haired Girl in Aviator Costume, Series 149/17 2200/2700
Ebony Black Felt Character, Wooden Jewelry, Series 112, Early Metal Button 2600/3200
Black-Complexioned Child with Yellow Sunbonnet, Series 573 3000/4000
Felt and Looped Wool Poodle Dog Novelty 400/600
Early Fetish Novelty of Bell-Hop with Flowers 400/500
Felt Miniature Turk in Traditional Costume 300/400
Blonde "Merry Widow" with Glass Googly Eyes 1200/1500
Wide-Eyed Floppy-Leg Miniature in Party Dress 400/500
Blonde-Haired Girl in Yellow Sweater, Series 300 700/900
Blonde Lenci Miniature Floppy-Leg Boy as Tennis Player 300/400
Ceramic Figurine "The Flower Seller" 400/500
Blonde-Haired Girl in Traditional Costume, Rare Face Modeling, Series 310/114 600/800
Extremely Rare Black-Haired Japanese Character, Model 556 5500/7500
Blonde Miniature Doll with Pink Felt Fashionable Costume and Unusual Face 500/700
Blonde-Haired Girl in Pink Felt Dress, Series 70/22 700/900
Light Brown Tousle-Haired Miniature with Rare Face, Model 35 500/700
Black-Haired Frowning Character Girl with Fancy Pantalets, Series 1500/L 1200/1500
Brown-Eyed Miniature Boy in Sheepskin Vest, Model 310/7 300/400
Black-Haired Miniature Girl in Traditional Tuscany Costume 300/400
Black-Haired Glass-Eyed Googly Girl "Fobello" 2000/2600
Brown-Haired Burgermeister, Series 1500 800/1100
White Haired Burgermeister as Puppet, Series 335 400/500
Pair, Wooden Head Egg Cozies in Colorful Felt Costumes, Series 4000 400/500
Blonde-Haired Young Man in Brown Suit and Tricorn Hat, Series 80 400/600
Blonde-Hair Frowning Boy in Sailor Costume, Series 1500 800/1100
Brunette Character in Military Parade Costume, Model 100/23 3500/4500
Black-Haired Cowboy with Silver Studded Chaps, Series 80/23 1000/1400
Very Rare Native American Girl with Child in Bunting, Series 100/39 2200/2700
Extremely Rare Native American Boy, Extraordinary Costume, Model 100/40 4500/6500
Miniature Girl with Sunflowers, Series 310/15 300/400
Miniature Girl with Yellow Squash, Model 310/2 400/500
Blonde Miniature as Dutch Girl with Cabbage, Model 64 300/400
Blonde-Haired Girl with Glass Googly Eyes, Model 250 1200/1600
Miniature Soldier with Black Felt Uniform, Series 300/22 300/400
Italian Bersagliere Miniature Soldier, Series 300/21 400/500
Italian Bersagliere Miniature Soldier with Floppy Legs 300/400
Miniature in Grey Uniform with Feathered Hat and Backpack, Model 300/20 400/500
Black-Haired Character Boy with Hand-Painted Pipe, 300 Series 700/900
Brunette Boy as Young Marquis in Brown Ensemble 500/700
Brown Felt Hound Dog in Amusing Pose, Model X 34 400/500
Rare Brunette Miniature Boy as Chimney Sweep 400/500
Colorful Grasshopper from the Lenci Novelty Figures Series DA/06 300/400
Blonde-Haired Girl with Glass Googly Eyes in Scottish Costume 1200/1600
Miniature Boy in Costume of Sandrio Carrying Little Piglet, Model 310/94 500/600
Miniature Red-Haired Girl with Wooden Piglet, Model 300/19 400/500
Miniature Boy with Pipe, Model 310/1 300/400
Miniature Girl in Brittany Costume with Goose, Model 310/41 300/400
Novelty Wooden Doll with Hanging Loop 300/400
Early Brown-Haired Chubby-Faced Character Girl, Series 178 1200/1500
Miniature Girl in Folklore Costume, Model 10 300/400
Miniature Boy with Stocking Cap and Wooden Pipe, Series 310/14 300/400
Miniature Mozart in Romantic Era Costume 500/600
Miniature Tyrolean Boy with Bouquet of Flowers, Model 300/3 400/500
Miniature Boy in Costume of Bolzano Tirol 400/500
Ladybug Fetish with Floral Coronet and Hanging Loop 200/300
Black Felt Amusing Cat with Spiny Tail, Model X44 400/500
Very Rare Blonde Character Boy as "Cortina" Hockey Player 1700/2200
Extremely Rare Italian Character Doll "Kiki" from the Prosperity Series 4500/6500
Blonde-Haired Character Boy in Pajamas, Model Lucy 47 800/1100
Brown-Haired Miniature Girl in Stylish Costume with Hat Box, Series, 300/12 400/500
Blonde-Haired Character Boy in Trench Coat with Tennis Racquet, Model Lucy 4 600/800
Blonde Character Girl, Rita (Lucia) Model, in Green Felt Costume with Ball 500/700
Blonde-Haired Character Girl with Jump Rope, Model Lucy 45 600/800
Blonde-Haired Character Girl in Navy Blue Coat, Model Lucy 40 700/900
Brown-Haired Girl in Black Polka-Dotted Dress, Rita (Lucy) Model 800/1100
Novelty Clown Purse with Rare Pan Face 400/500
Blonde-Haired Girl with Golf Club, Giuliana Model 1100/1500
Four Vintage Postcards of Lenci Dolls 100/200
Amusing Character Depiction of Pan 600/900
Three Postcards of Early Lenci Dolls 100/200
Felt Character Duck "Dewey" from Donald Duck Family 400/500
Red-Haired Impish Girl with Duckling, BC Series 400/500
Brown-Haired Boy with Cigarette, BF Series 400/500
Glass-Eyed Googly as Novelty Purse 600/800
Rare Black-Complexioned Miniature in Native Costume 500/700
Blonde-Haired Floppy-Leg Miniature Girl in Romper 200/300
Blonde-Haired Miniature Girl, Model 10, as Little Red Riding Hood 300/400
Brunette-Haired Miniature Girl with Broom, Model 1 200/300
Brunette Miniature Girl with Jump Rope 300/400
Black-Haired Miniature Toreador 300/400
Blonde-Haired New-Look Girl from Giuliana Series 600/900
Character Hand Puppet as Toreador, Series 335/5 200/300
Character-Faced Becassine as Hand Puppet, Series 335/13 200/300
Blonde-Haired Miniature Girl in Green Overalls 300/400
Blonde-Haired Girl with Hat Box, BC/27 400/500
Red-Haired Painted Eye Googly Character Girl, Model BL/59 1400/1600
Brown-Haired Girl "Ninetta" in Costume of Lapland 400/500
Brown-Haired Girl in Costume of Italian Aosta Valley 400/500
Black-Haired Girl in Costume of Sardinia, Rita Model 30 400/500
Brown-Haired "Laura" in Folklore Costume, Model 27 300/400
Brown-Haired Girl in Flowered Felt Dress 400/500
Brown Haired Frowning Character Girl, Series 1500 500/700
Black-Haired Girl in Traditional Costume, Rita Model #23 400/500
Eleven Vintage Postcards of Lenci Dolls 300/400