French Bisque Poupee with Wooden Body,Extensive Trousseau,and Provenance
Lot #73
17" (43 cm.) Bisque shoulder head with very plump face,cobalt blue glass eyes,thick dark eyeliner,painted lashes,feathered brows,accented nostrils and eye corners,closed mouth with accented lips,un-pierced ears,blonde mohair wig over cork pate,stretched kid-over-wooden body with dowel-jointing at shoulders,elbows,hips and knees,bisque lower arms with cupped plump hands,bisque lower legs with bare feet. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Barrois,circa 1865. Value Points: with important provenance,very beautiful face and bisque,sturdy and rare wooden articulated body,the doll owns an extensive trousseau comprising: crisp ivory taffeta two-piece gown with green and black striping,trimmed by lavish lace and ribbons,and with extended train,matching green taffeta bonnet with lace overlay,fabulous green kidskin shoes; black silk evening jacket with crystal drops; exquisite silk organza gown comprising jacket,skirt and extended train,and overskirt,trimmed with blue silk bodice panel,streamers and rosettes,additional undergarments,shift and rare hoop designed for long train,white cotton day dress,red woolen dress with jet trim. And with the following accessories: red kidskin boots with Huret-like soles,red leather purse with waist belt,red kidskin gloves,striped stockings,red snood,crystal and faux-ruby necklace,hair combs and earrings,coral necklace and brooch,exquisite tiny Mary Gregory glass perfume bottle with chatelaine clip,another ruby tiny perfume bottle with chatelaine clip,ormolu porte-bouquet with flowers,bronze dresser box with image,bone fan with green silk blades,red leather sewing necessaire with tiny sewing tools,blue silk slippers with Huret-like soles,early jewelry box,small domed trunk,beaded bag,and gilt coronet set with faux-emerald and faux-rubies. This doll and her sister doll,#76,belonged to Mary Elizabeth Taft and her sister of Providence,Rhode Island. Their father,Royal Chapin Taft,was Governor of Rhode Island at the time,and,in a coincidence which is likely incidental,although interesting regarding the elaborate trousseaux of the dolls,had made his fortune in the manufacture of cotton and woolen goods. Mary Elizabeth was born in 1858 and received the doll as a young girl. Later,Mary Elizabeth married John Smith who was a descendant of John and Priscilla Alden of Mayflower fame,kept the doll and all her belongings,eventually bequeathing them to her daughter Hope,who kept them until her death in 1965. The dolls remained in the Taft-Alden family until they were eventually sold to Hanne B?ktas in 2005.
