$9,500
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sold
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Description
16" (41 cm.) Bisque socket head with very plump rounded face accented by little pointed chin and nose, large blue glass paperweight inset eyes with spiral threading, thick dark eyeliner, painted lashes, mauve-blushed eye shadow, brush-stroked and feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with outlined and shaded lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, French composition and wooden eight-loose-ball-jointed body with metal hands, beautiful antique costume. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: P. 1 D. Comments: Petit et Dumoutier, circa 1882. Andre Petit had been involved in the toy industry in France since the 1830s, but only began a serious interest in creation of luxury bebes after his partnership with Andre Dumoutier in 1875; however, it was a fairly short-lived doll business as toward the end of the 1880s, the firm reverted to the making of skittles, marottes and other toys. The luxury nature of the doll, combined with its short period of production, explains its rarity today. Value Points: splendid eyes with dramatic eyeliner contrasts beautifully with lovely pale complexion, with original body having original finish except touch-up on hands, lovely antique costume and wig.