#323

Grand German Paper Mache Lady Doll, Superb Coiffure, Modeled Bosom
Live Auction

$1,600
sold
Hero Image
Click image to enlarge
Description
37" (94 cm.) 10"h. head. Paper mache shoulderhead with oval face and elongated throat, modeled bosom, black painted hair in elaborate fashion with five graduated length voluptuous curls on either side of face that fall onto her shoulders, and then pulled back and formed into a tightly-braided chignon at the back of her head, sculpted ears, painted blue eyes, black upper eyeliner, single stroke brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth, kid body and wooden lower limbs. Condition: original painting, craquelure on shoulderplate, the body is an appropriate style, but is not antique. Comments: Germany, circa 1840, the doll was shown in an article "Portraits in Papier-Mache" in the 1983 Doll Collectors Manual, page 44, described as "an outstanding example of the 1840 period". Value Points: very rare early doll with outstanding detail of hair and sculpting of features including definition of double chin and temple creases; the doll is wearing a fine early costume of transfer pattern cotton.