Extremely Rare French Musical Bebe Bru Respirant,with Signed Bru Shoes

Live Auction

Bisque socket head,very large blue glass eyes that open and close with breathing mechanism is wound,dark eyeliner,painted lashes,rose-blushed eye shadow,brush-stroked and feathered brows,accented eye corners,shaded nostrils,open mouth with outlined lips,double row of tiny porcelain teeth,pierced ears,blonde human hair,French composition and wooden fully-jointed body,clockwork mechanism in torso,expandable panel in front torso for "breathing",original chemise with lace edging,lace-ruffled cap,blue stockings,cream kidskin shoes signed "Bru Jne Paris",antique silk dress also included. When wound,the doll opens and closes her eyes,"breathes" (expanding her chest),and music plays. Condition: generally excellent,mechanism functions well. Marks: Bru Jne R Brevete SGDG Y 8 M. (head) Bebe Bru No. 8 (torso). Comments: Bru,circa 1891,the expensive doll was offered for only a short period in three levels of luxury: with breathing mechanism only,with breathing and sleeping eye movement,and,most luxurious and very rare,with breathing,sleeping eye and music all from the same complicated mechanism. Value Points: very rare model,few examples are known to exist,is enhanced by wonderfully expressive features,and choice bisque.