$280,000
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Description
22" (56 cm.) Bisque socket head with highly artistic sculpting achieved by a unique four-part mold, elongated slender throat accentuating the plump lower cheeks and chin, pronounced definition of facial planes especially at her temple and cheek bones, softly rounded nose tip, hazel-brown glass paperweight eyes with spiral threading, thick dark eyeliner, painted dark curly lashes, brush-stroked and feathered brows, accented eye corners, shaded nostrils, closed mouth with pensively shaped outlined lips, distinctively modeled pierced ears, original brunette hand-tied human hair wig, original uniquely modeled body, elongated tapered-shape torso, wide hips, undefined waist, composition upper arms, bisque lower arms with bisque attached ball joints at the elbows, separately sculpted fingers, wide upper thighs, elongated lower legs with shapely calves, elongated narrow feet. Condition: generally excellent, two typical darkened seam lines (under wig) are original, perfect bisque hands. Marks: A. Marque (incised signature) 94 (red ink number on head) 82 Lorraine (pencil signature on foot). Comments: France, circa 1916, designed by noted Parisian sculptor Albert Marque, as part of a movement to re-invigorate the French doll industry; the movement involved sculptors, porcelain firms, fashion designers and virtually the entire art community. Albert Marque, the noted French sculptor was thus commissioned to design a doll that reflected the actual expressions and moods of childhood, rather than the idealized dolls of the late 19th century. Even the body was uniquely designed for the doll by fellow artist, Aristodeme Botta, who aimed to create a child's body for a doll that "combined the strength and grace typical of that age". The artistic doll of Albert Marque was first presented at an exclusive exhibition at the fashion boutique of Parisian art patron, Margaine-Lacroix. It is believed that only 100 models of the Marque doll were created, most inscribed with their particular number in the series, this being #94, and many bearing a pencil inscription on the foot indicating the background of the doll's costume, in this instance Lorraine. The doll is wearing a historical costume indicating the prominence of the Lorraine region during the Renaissance era of French history, and is an homage to Louise of Lorraine, the beloved Queen consort of Henry III. The supremely rare French art doll, whose rarity is rivaled by her most artistic and expressive features, unique construction of head and body, is wearing her original richly embroidered Renaissance-themed costume and cap, undergarments, and leather shoes impressed with figure of a doll. The doll has been in the collection of Susan Whittaker since 1977 when it was presented to her by her husband on Valentine's Day.