$7,000
Sold
sold
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Description
19" (48 cm.) doll. 27" dome overall. Of early paper mache with deeply sculpted age lines and
wrinkles,the doll depicts an aged woman with enamel inset eyes,thick painted grey
brows,pronounced nose,and closed mouth with defined teeth,sparse human hair,handmade
homespun body and paper mache hands. She is wearing her original multi-layered costume
with woolen petticoat,homespun lined skirt with transfer design,blouse,shawl and superb
(frail) hooded cape with crewel embroidery. Condition: generally excellent with typical wear to
goods and fading of costume. Comments: probably English,early 1800s. Value Points:
compelling highly-characterized face with original painting,spectacles,and original
costume,with her well-stocked basket of wares including toys,sewing novelties,fabrics,ladys
goods and more,the peddler is preserved under an early glass dome with burled walnut base.
The doll is featured in the forthcoming book,?Under Glass,A Victorian Obsession" by John
Whitenight (Schiffer Publishing).