French Bisque Bebe,Adelaide Huret,All-Wooden Articulated Body

Live Auction

18" (46 cm.) Very plump bisque socket head with classic light-bulb shaped throat,very full cheeks and chin,pale complexion with delicately-tinted blush on cheeks,chin and brows,small blue glass enamel inset eyes with spiral threading,dark eyeliner,delicately-painted brows and lashes,accented nostrils,tiny closed mouth with outlined lips,un-pierced ears,ash-blonde mohair wig over cork pate,all-wooden body with shapely torso,dowel-jointing at shoulders,elbows,wrists,hips,knees and ankles,separately-carved fingers. Condition: generally excellent,body is professionally repainted. Comments: Huret,circa 1879,the Bebe Huret was created under the supervision of Adelaide Huret who had been inspired by the "new" style of doll,the bebe,introduced by others at the 1878 Universal Exposition in Paris. The Bebe Huret was fitted with a child-proportioned body made of gutta percha or (as in this case) a fully- articulated wooden body in the style of Bru's Bebe Modele,and with painted eyes or (as in this case) with glass enamel eyes. Value Points: the pale complexion of the very beautiful bebe contrasts superbly with the plumply-modeled features; the bebe is rarely found,and wears a very fine original pique and embroidered costume,undergarments,silk bonnet,leather shoes with silk rosettes,and carries kidskin gloves and a peach silk parasol.