Rare 19th Century Laminated Cloth Doll with Original Body

Live Auction

20" (51 cm.) Very firmly-constructed socket head of laminated cloth under nearly imperceptible wax, blue glass enamel eyes, brown all-around eye shadow, arched brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with center accent line, blushed cheeks, blonde mohair curly wig, hollowed body that is also of laminated cloth and with wooden-peg jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, defined fingers and thumbs. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: mid-19th century, country of original uncertain. Value Points: very rare doll of unique construction, and with most appealing face and expression. Ex-collection Madeline Merrill, the doll is shown in her book The Art of Dolls, 1740-1910, page 148.