Early English Wooden Doll with Courtly Presence

Live Auction

28" (71 cm.) One-piece carved wooden head and torso, egg-shaped oval head, strong elongated throat, and shaped waist front torso with flat-back, inset large blue enamel eyes, dot-defined brows and lashes, aquiline nose, small lips with center line, brunette hair, cloth upper arms, wooden lower arms with spatula hands, wooden legs with dowel-jointing at hips and knees. Condition: generally excellent, original finish is well preserved except rub on nose. Comments: English, circa 1775, the doll's notable size indicates her creation on special commission for aristocratic family. Value Points: courtly presence, original finish, superb costume of fine antique burgundy silk with laced bodice, quilted petticoat, red stockings, and early kidskin hand-sewn ankle boots.