Superb Exhibition French Bisque Bebe by Leon Casimir Bru with Rare Painted Teeth

Live Auction

32" (81 cm.) Pressed bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulder plate with modeled bosom and shoulderblades, very plump cheeks and chin, brown glass paperweight inset eyes, thick dark eyeliner, painted curly lashes, incised eyeliner, mauve-blushed eye shadow, brushstroked and multi-feathered brows, accented eye corners, shaded nostrils, closed mouth with well-defined teeth between the shaded and outlined lips, pierced ears, light brown hand-tied human hair wig in long ringlet curls over cork pate, kid bebe body with gusset-jointing at hips and knees, kid-over-wood upper arms, bisque lower arms and hands with separately-sculpted fingers, wearing fine antique white costume with broderie Anglaise design, matching bonnet, stockings, undergarments, shoes, parasol, and gloves. Condition: generally excellent, body especially sturdy, right thumb broken, one finger tip broken on left hand. Marks: (crescent/circle/dot symbol) Bru Jne 12 (head) Bte SGDG (forehead rim) Bru Jne No. 13 (shoulder plate). Comments: Leon Casimir Bru, circa 1878, with rare deposed mark on forehead rim, indicating its earliest production, and larger size indicating its likely creation as an exhibition model. Value Points: superb detail of modeling emphasizes appealing characterization further enhanced by finest bisque and painting, rare painted teeth, especially sturdy original body, lovely costume.