$52,000
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Description
20" (51 cm.) Bisque socket head with lustrous brown complexion, black brushstroked brows with decorative glaze, dark eyeliner, lushly-painted black lashes, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with shaded lips, pierced ears, black mohair wig in elaborate coiffure over cork pate, French composition and wooden fully-jointed body in matching brown complexion. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Depose Tete Jumeau Bte SGDG 9. Comments: Emile Jumeau, the model appeared in his "bebes de quatre continents" (dolls of four continents) series introduced in 1889, designed to appeal to international visitors to the 1889 International Exposition in Paris. The classic tete models of Jumeau were created with various complexions to represent different peoples of the world; their ethnicity was accentuated by details such as, on this example, a young East Indian woman, the bindi (red forehead dot) signifying married status, love and prosperity, and by superbly created costumes from the Jumeau atelier. Value Points: extremely rare doll, her rarity enhanced by wonderfully preserved condition, flawless complexion, original elaborate coiffure and headdress, original body and body finish, and outstanding original silk costume with passamenterie and "emerald" jewels. No other examples of this model are known to exist.