Very Rare Italian Felt Character Doll Portraying Josephine Baker by Lenci

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18" (46 cm.) Plumply-shaped light brown wool felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features, brown side-glancing painted eyes with white eyedots, curly lashes, button-shaped nose with accent dots, very full red felt stitched-on lips, black mohair wig, stitched-on ears with bangle earrings, uniquely-constructed body with voluptuous pose, sculpted bosom, constructed bent left elbow, knees constructed bow-legged. Condition: overall good/ very good, with repair at shoulder of right arm, moth holes on feet, one hole on side of left thigh, bananas missing on skirt and some leaf fading. Comments: Lenci, circa 1926 , the doll portrays the American-born Parisian dancer, Josephine Baker, in the costume of her most famous performance, "Danse Banane" at the Folies Bergere; the doll was named Josephine in the Lenci catalog. Value Points: extremely rare Lenci model with uniquely-stitch-sculpted body, highly-stylized unique face, with original bangle jewelry.