Pristine French Bisque Poupee "Lily" from Lavallee-Peronne with Original Box
Lot #112
17" (43 cm.) Bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulder plate,cobalt blue glass enamel inset eyes,delicately-painted brows and lashes,accented nostrils,closed mouth with delicately-accented lips in hint of smile,ears pierced into head,original blonde mohair wig in ringlet curls with original cerise velvet ribbons all-wooden body with shapely torso,dowel-jointing at shoulders,elbows,hips and knees,curled fingers,defined toes. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: A La Poupee de Nuremberg 21 rue de Choiseul,Lavallee-Peronne,Trousseau complets,Paris (original paper label on box). Comments: Circa 1863,from the prestigious Parisian doll shop of Madame Lavallee-Peronne,who presented her doll with the signature name of "Lily" and then,1863,began the publication of the important doll journal La Poupee Modele in which the doll and,of course,all the things you could buy for the doll,were promoted. In Volume I of La Poupee Modele the doll was described as "our masterpiece,the jewel of our Etrennes with a refined head like the bisque of Sevres,the opulent blonde curls half-hidden by a batiste bonnet that can barely contain them,vibrant sapphire eyes,wild rose tint of complexion". Value Points: in utterly-perfect state of preservation,including bisque,body and original wig,the doll is presented with her original worn box with its original store label (see photo) along with a pristine original trousseau comprising royal blue wool two-piece seaside ensemble with feather-stitch embroidery along with matching belt,hand-stitched slippers and brown oilskin bathing cap with matching embroidery; ensemble including bustle-back grey skirt with white blouse,silk tunic,woven black hat with silk streamers,and grey oilskin purse with black fabric edging and matching belt; brown leather boots signed C.C.,brown leather shoes,paisley coach wrap with leather carrying straps,matching chemisette and chemise,petticoat,batiste bonnet,red-edged laced corset,red hooped bustle back,and hand-stitched linen slippers with red edging and feather-stitch trim. The costumes are totally original and impeccably-preserved. The doll and trousseau appeared in Theriault's 1999 Etrennes book,offered from the original French family estate,and has been in the possession of one private collection since that time.
