French Bisque Art-Character Doll by Albert Marque with Original Signed Costume
Lot #17
22" (56 cm.) Bisque socket head whose highly-artistic sculpting is
achieved by a unique four-part mold used only for this
doll,elongated slender throat accentuating the plump lower
cheeks,pronounced definition of facial planes especially
temple,cheeks and chin line,elongated sloped nose with softly-
rounded tip,amber brown glass paperweight eyes with spiral
threading,thick dark eyeliner,painted dark curly lashes,brush-
stroked and feathered brows,accented eye corners,shaded
nostrils,closed mouth with petulantly-shaped outlined
lips,distinctively-modeled pierced ears,brunette mohair
wig,original uniquely modeled body with elongated tapered-shape
torso,wide hips,undefined waist,composition upper arms,bisque
lower arms with bisque attached-ball-joints at the
elbows,separately sculpted fingers,wide upper thighs,elongated
lower legs with shapely calves,elongated narrow feet. Condition:
generally excellent. Marks: A. Marque (incised signature) 27
(inscribed number on head) (partial pencil label on foot,see
photo) Margaine-Lacroix 19 Boulevard Haussman Paris (cloth label
in costume). Comments: France,circa 1916,designed by noted
Parisian sculptor Albert Marque. During the early 20th century a
deliberate and highly-motivated movement was afoot in France to
re-invigorate the French doll industry,the movement involving
sculptors,porcelain firms,fashion designers and virtually the
entire art community. Toward that end,important artists,most
notably Albert Marque,but also including Poulbot,Van Rozen,and
others were commissioned to design a new type of doll,one that
reflected the actual expressions and moods of childhood,rather
than the idealized bebes of the late 19th century. Even the bodies
were uniquely designed for the dolls,rather than using stock
models; in the case of the Albert Marque doll,the body was
sculpted by his fellow artist,Aristodeme Botta,who aimed to create
a child's body for a doll that "combined the strength and grace
typical of that age". The artistic doll of Albert Marque was first
presented at an exclusive exhibition at the fashion boutique of
Parisian art patron,Margaine-Lacroix. It is believed that only 100
models of the Marque doll were created,most inscribed with their
particular number in the series,this being #27. Value Points:
exceptionally fine example of the very rare and most sought
doll,having superior sculpting and painting of complexion and
features,original perfect body,and wearing original couturier-sewn
costume bearing the original cloth label of Margaine-Lacroix where
the doll was first presented. The doll was considered the keynote
piece of the Stein am Rhein Museum,where it resided for nearly
half a century.
