Italian Felt Boudoir Doll Known as Lillian Gish by Lenci

Live Auction

25" (64 cm.) Felt head and torso with elongated slender throat, oval face turned languidly to the side, painted blue eyes with heavy eyelids, brown eyeliner, painted upper lashes, smoky brown eye shadow, accented nostrils of aquiline nose, closed mouth, blonde mohair wig in long ringlet curls with forehead curl, adult lady torso, jointing at shoulders, long slender arms and legs that are modeled slightly bent at the knees, loose hinge jointing at the hips. The doll is wearing her original four-tiered white organdy gown with rows of lace at each tier, multi-tiered ruffles at the bodice and sleeves, matching petticoat, panties, and chemise, stockings, blue felt heeled shoes, felt garter, fingerless lace gloves, matching bonnet, and ruffled organdy fan, with original Lenci label on the gown. Excellent condition. Italian, Lenci, circa 1934, the model is known as a portrait of actress Lillian Gish, although that reference does not appear in Lenci literature. Included with the doll is a studio photograph of Shirley Temple with her collection of Lenci dolls. It is curious to note that, excepting the Lenci dolls in nationality costume, the great majority of these had blonde ringlets and even a little forelock curl.