$65,000
Sold
sold
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Description
20" (51 cm.) Bisque socket head, very narrow eye sockets designed as though the eyes are crinkled in laughter, blue glass inset eyes, dark eyeliner, long painted curly lashes, thick brush-stroked and feathered brows, rounded nose tip, shaded nostrils, sculpted-closed mouth modeled as though open in a hearty laugh, two rows of sculpted teeth, defined tongue, separately-modeled pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, French composition and wooden fully-jointed body. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 208 (incised) Depose Tete Jumeau Bte SGDG 9 (and artist checkmarks, on head) Jumeau Medaille d'Or Paris (body). Comments: Emile Jumeau, from his 1890's "Series Fantastique", only 17 examples of this model in size 9 remained in the 1899 Jumeau inventory indicating how very rare the doll is. Value Points: the very dramatic laughing expression is compelling yet curiously charming, enhanced by very choice quality of sculpting, bisque and painting, original wig, pate, body, body finish, fine antique costume, bonnet and accessories. Provenance: about 1903, the original owner, Ann Dore spotted the amazing doll in the display window of the famous White House department store in San Francisco and purchased it for her cousin who was a doll collector. Years later, as the cousin was moving to France, she returned the doll to Ann Dore, who preserved it her entire life; on one occasion, once in 1930 she entered the doll in a competition promoted by Meir and Frank department store of Portland, Oregon where she was awarded the Grand Prize. The doll has remained in the family and is now being sold by the great granddaughter of Ann Dore.