Very Rare French Bisque Portrait Lady by Alexandre Dehors
Lot #142
18" (46 cm.) Perfectly oval-shaped bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulderplate with delicately modeled bosom, deposed Dehors neck attachment allowing the head to tilt forward and lean coquettishly from side to side (rather than simply swivel), slightly elongated throat, high domed forehead, high cheekbones, almond shaped cobalt blue glass enamel inset eyes, dark eyeliner encircles the eye sockets, modeled eyelids, lightly feathered brows and lashes, aquiline nose, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with upturned lip corners and accented lips, shaped chin with centered dimple, defined philtrum, well defined unpierced ears, blonde mohair wig with braided coronet and applique floral trim, kid poupee body, gusset jointed hips and knees, kid upper arms, bisque arms from above the elbows with separately sculpted fingers, defined knuckles and nails, separate thumb, (frail) original golden silk gown with fringe trim, undergarments, shoes. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Alexandre Dehors, circa 1866, his brevete model created for presentation at the 1867 Paris International Exposition was designed to compete against the Huret style poupee; in fact, the Exposition jury declared the unique neck articulation of the Dehors doll was "an extra not found in Huret dolls". Further, the facial resemblance to the beloved Empress Eugenie is remarkable, indicating that the model may have been created specifically for that Exposition, which was the crowning showpiece of the Napoleon III epoch. Value Points: very rare doll with original body, bisque hands, original wig, unique articulation, and exquisite portraiture.
