#102

Extremely Rare Early 19th-century Wooden Doll with Eight-Leg Walking Body
Live Auction

$7,500
sold
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Description
20" (51 cm.) All-wooden doll with simplistic hand-carving,flat-cut dowel attached swivel head,very elongated face,brown sculpted hair looped above the ears and captured into a coiled chignon at the back of head,enamel eyes,defined lashes and brows,closed mouth,elongated torso with defined waist and bosom,dowel-jointing at shoulders and elbows,defined fingers,blue-painted torso that extends nearly floor-length with center archway in which eight legs are arranged in a spoked wheel arrangement. Condition: overall good,some touch up on face and hair. Comments: early-19th century,when costumed,the doll's fabric gown would cover the leg construction,allowing the doll to "walk" when in play,yet appear to have only two legs. Value points: very rare doll with unusual construction,well-detailed carving.