$18,000
Sold
sold
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Description
18"(46 cm.) Of light brown wool felt,the doll has swivel head with pressed and painted facial
features,very plump cheeks,large round painted side-glancing eyes,high comma-shaped black
brows,rounded nose,applique red felt lips,highly-stylized black mohair wig with forehead spit
curls,uniquely-shaped body with elaborate stitching to accent body features,wearing original
felt skirt of bananas and banana leaves,with elaborate brass bangle earrings,necklace and arm
and leg bracelets. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Lenci,circa 1925,the doll was
featured in their catalog of that year as model #554,named simply "Josephine",and is one of
the very few Lenci celebrity dolls that actually bore the famous person's name. The doll
portrays the American-born Parisian dancer Josephine Baker in her most famous
costume,"Danse Banane"from her 1925 performance at the Folies Bergere. Value Points:
extremely rare model with highly-stylized features wonderfully pays tribute to the iconic
performer; the doll is preserved in superb condition.