Rare and Fine French Bisque Bebe "H" by Aristide Halopeau with Superb Costume

Live Auction

22" (56 cm.) Bisque socket head, plump cheeks and chin, deep brown glass paperweight inset eyes, thick dark eyeliner, painted lashes, mauve blushed eye shadow, brushstroked and multi-feathered brows, accented eye corners, shaded nostrils, closed mouth with shaded and outlined lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, French composition and wooden fully-jointed body with straight wrists. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 3 H. Comments: Aristide Halopeau, circa 1882, with uniquely sculpted head model commissioned by Halopeau from the Frayon porcelain works, and painted by the famed Parisian artist, Barnard; few bebes by this firm were ever made. Value Points: gorgeous bebe with exemplary bisque and painting, beautiful mohair soft curly wig, original body and body finish, fine silk antique dress which may be original, undergarments, ruffled cutwork bonnet, leather shoes, socks. In his book, Fascinating Dolls, Samy Odin noted "the fine quality of the pressed bisque, the intensity of the expression, and the naturalness of its features".