$32,000
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Description
24" (64 cm.) Bisque socket head with slender angular features, strongly shaped aquiline nose and pronounced lines of throat and cheeks, painted blue eyes within deeply-sculpted eye sockets, heavily modeled eyelids with thickly fringed soft lashes, upper glancing black pupils, brush-stroked brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with shaded lips, pierced ears, brunette human hair wig in long flowing locks, composition and wooden fully-jointed body with adult-female shape. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Simon & Halbig S&H 152 10. Comments: Simon and Halbig, circa 1910. In research underway by German scholar Marianne Cieslik, it is suggested that the model 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 was considered a heroine in her time. Value Points: exceptionally rare model in very rare size, with outstanding sculpting and bisque, original body and body finish, original wig superb state of preservation, and an intriguing historical background which is accentuated by this doll's antique costume presenting her as Joan of Arc, a heroine of an earlier time. The costume is of finest royal blue velvet including short pants, lined cape and a fitted tunic with gold cord banding which is worn under a breastplate of woven silver metallic threads with elaborate appliques, matching sleeveguards, and feathered headband, and with silver metal scabbard attached by chainmaille, silver thread leggings and brown kidskin boots.