"Hope's Gentle Gem" Marquis Cataloged Doll Auction of the Ruth Nievergelt Collection

Monday, July 22, 2024Lots 1-374

Monday, July 22, 2024. At the Hotel Kansas City Hyatt, Kansas City, MO. Preview 9AM CT. Auction 11AM CT. Featuring the important collection of Ruth Nievergelt of Winterthur, Switzerland. The exemplary collection of French bébés and poupées, along with the rarest of German bisque art characters, chosen with meticulous and patient care over several decades, and beautifully exhibited and preserved in her Winterthur, Switzerland home, will be highlighted at this important annual auction event by Theriault’s. To request a free color brochure or for more information call 410-224-3655. Login to register to bid. Order the catalog here.

Live Auction

Showing 1 - 374 of 374

Very Important Set of Miniature Dolls Depicting "Struwwelpeter" Characters by Kathe Kruse, in Original Box with Provenance

Very Important Set of Miniature Dolls Depicting "Struwwelpeter" Characters by Kathe Kruse, in Original Box with Provenance

Lot #50

4 1/2" (11 cm.) -7". Each doll with cloth/composition head having painted and/or stitched facial features, cotton thread wigs, padded metal armature bodies for posing with separated fingers, and each wearing original brightly-colored costumes; many dolls having original inventory numbers hidden under costumes indicating their story role. Condition: generally excellent state of preservation with few early fabric wears. Comments: Kathe Kruse, 1920s, the set of storybook miniature dolls comprise 24 characters that appeared in the 19th century German children's book, Struwwelpeter, by Heinrich Hoffman, and were created by the German dollmaker in the style of her very rarely found dollhouse dolls. The set was especially commissioned from Kathe Kruse by the Swiss artist, Erica Van Kager, a close friend of the dollmaker. Van Kager then created the unique box in which the set has been stored for the past century, hand-painting and signing the lid of the box before gifting the dolls to her two young godsons, the brothers Hans and Peter Bodmer. In later years, Peter Bodmer eventually shared the dolls with his wife, the noted doll collector Marianne Bodmer from whose estate the dolls were sold in 1989, and were acquired by the noted American collector, Dorothy Dixon. Value Points: the remarkable set of dolls is wonderfully preserved, their imaginative and artistic presentation enhanced by the connection with artist Erica Van Kagen, and well-documented provenance.

Estimate: $12,000 / $16,000
Important French Bisque Bebe as Asian Child in Original Costume and Signed Shoes by Leon Casimir Bru

Important French Bisque Bebe as Asian Child in Original Costume and Signed Shoes by Leon Casimir Bru

Lot #129

20" (51 cm.) Light amber-tinted bisque swivel head on kid-edged matching shoulderplate with slightly modeled bosom and shoulderblades, amber brown glass paperweight inset eyes, thick dark eyeliner, painted lashes, rich rose eye shadow, brown brushstroked brows with feathered detail, shaded nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with tiny defined tongue tip, outlined lips, impressed cheek and philtrum dimples, pierced ears, very dark brunette mohair wig in up-swept coiffure, cork pate, slender kid bebe body, kid-over-wooden upper arms, light amber-tinted bisque arms, Chevrot hinged upper legs, jointed knees, wooden lower legs. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Bru Jne 9 (head) Bru Jne N. 9 (shoulderplate).Bebe Bru...(original paper label on torso). Comments: Leon Casimir Bru, circa 1884, the Asian model of Bru was introduced during the 1883 Chevrot era; their extreme rarity is explained in The Bru Book by Theimer/Theriault "likely the Asian bebes were custom-ordered as the model was never mentioned in Bru advertising". Value Points: impeccable original condition of the very rare doll, with original wig, body in superb sturdy condition, finest bisque and painting, and wearing original embroidered silk costume, original Bru undergarments, original socks and unique original red kidskin shoes with silk rosettes signed "Bru Jne 9". with original set of embossed fan-shaped jewelry comprising earrings, pin and two hair ornaments.

Estimate: $27,000 / $35,000
Gold Horse Guaranteed