Rare French Bisque Poupee, Distinctive Deposed Body by Edouard Briens

Live Auction

18" (46 cm.) Bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulderplate, plump facial modeling contrasts the pale complexion, cobalt blue glass enamel eyes, dark eyeliner, painted dark lashes, feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with outlined lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig in very elaborate original coiffure over cork pate, distinctive lady body with shapely and very-firmly stuffed torso, kid-over-wooden legs with side-hip-jointing and dowel-jointing at knees, kid-over-wooden upper arms to below the dowel-jointed elbows, bisque forearms with exquisitely sculpted fingers, defined nails. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: circa 1860, the unique body was deposed by Edouard Briens in that year, although the brevete with the purpose of creating a flexible body with non-visible joints. Value Points: existing examples of the Briens body are nearly impossible to find; this beautiful poupee has superb original coiffure, and wears fine early silk and velvet striped gown, undergarments, and green leather shoes, and has finest bisque and painting. The doll is shown in Theimer's Panorama of Parisienne Dolls, page 191. Ex-collection June Ellen Lane.