$12,500
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Description
20" (51 cm.) Bisque socket head with slender angular features depicting an adult lady, aquiline slender nose, painted smoke blue eyes with heavily modeled lids and well-sculpted eye sockets, brushstroked brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with solemn expression, shaded lips, brunette mohair wig, composition and wooden fully-jointed lady body with defined bosom, tiny waist and accentuated derriere, antique royal blue silk dress, undergarments, bonnet and leather shoes. Marks: Simon & Halbig S&H 152 7 (head) Heinrich Handwerck Germany (body). Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Simon and Halbig, circa 1910, the doll was inspired by Rosa Luxemburg (1870-1919), the Polish-born German intellectual and social reformer whose short life was spent advocating the rights of the common man and woman, and who was considered a heroine in her time. The portrait doll was likely presented at the 1910 Leipzig Spring Fair in the important display of suffragette dolls which highlighted the event. Since it was not created for child play purposes, it is certain that very few examples of the doll were ever created and it is very rare. Value Points: the rarity is rivaled by compelling modeling including deeply defined eyes, strong chin and aquiline nose, enhanced by choicest bisque and painting, original wig, body, body finish, and original costume.