Very Rare French Brown-Complexioned Art Character as Marquis by Van Rozen

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14" (36 cm.) Bisque socket head with rich brown complexion accentuating the expressive and very deeply sculpted facial features,brown glass inset eyes,dark eyeliner,painted black and brush-stroked brows,rounded nose,closed mouth modeled as though open with a broad beaming smile and sculpted and painted teeth,pale lips,pierced ears,white mohair periwig over cork pate,French brown composition and wooden fully-jointed body,straight wrists. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Van Rozen France Depose (raised letters). Comments: circa 1915,the doll was designed by Belgian/French artist Jeanne Van Rozen during the French doll art movement of the early 20th century,one of the important studio sculptors and painters of the era,such as Albert Marque and Francisque Poulbot,who lent their talents to aiding the Renaissance of the French doll industry. Van Rozen,who was renowned for his bronze animal sculptures,created two doll models only,one solemn-faced and this example,smiling. According to The Encyclopedia of French Dolls by Theimer "it is likely that only a very few were ever made". Value Points: the rarity of the doll is rivaled by its artistic qualities,most expressive features,fine flawless bisque,and wearing a wonderful silk Marquis costume,velvet tricorn hat,leather shoes,with watch and fob,and bone-handled walking stick (an additional folklore style costume is also included).