18th-Century Continental Wooden Parade Doll with Superbly-Carved Hair

Live Auction

25" (64 cm.) All carved wood with one-piece head and torso,well-defined carving of hair with loose braid drawn to back of head with captured curls,original small hole at crown for placement of hair-piece or crown,dark glass enamel inset eyes,painted lashes and brows,closed mouth with gentle smile,chemise yoke has carved definition,dowel-jointed shoulders,elbows and hands,so- called "cage" lower body that is attached to upper torso by simple peg. Condition: very good,some typical old retouch on complexion. Comments: 18th-century,Continental,probably Portugal,the removable upper torso and head allowed use as a parade doll during festivals,while the simplistic wooden cage served as under-structure for fashion display at other occasions. Value Points: superb carving of hair,especially nice intermediate size.