Extremely Rare French Bisque Poupee with Unique Construction and Portrait Face

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17" (43 cm.) Bisque head with slender heart-shaped face,high domed forehead and flat-cut elongated throat that is swivel-attached to original shoulder plate that has a sculpted blushed dimple at the center and unusually-high throat extension,painted dark blue eyes in sculpted eye sockets,heavily-modeled eyelids,dark eyeliner,grey eye shadow,arched feathered brows,painted lashes,accented nostrils and eye corners,closed mouth with center accent line,aquiline-shaped nose,impressed dimples at lip corners,philtrum and the bottom lip,un-pierced blushed ears,brunette mohair wig over cork pate,kid-over wood poupee body with very shapely torso,accentuated derriere,dowel-jointing at shoulders,hips and knees,bisque arms to above the elbows with delicately curved elbows,cupped hands with defined fingers,ivory satin silk gown with seed pearls and Alencon lace ornamentation,undergarments,shoes signed "Maison Giroux Paris",and luxurious crown of seed pearls set in a gilt frame. Condition: generally excellent,small repair to one finger. Comments: maker unknown,circa 1867,although the unusual neck articulation appears to be from the 1852 depose of Marie Cruchet that was used by various doll makers. The doll was likely presented at the 1867 Universal Exposition in Paris; only six other models from this series are known to exist,one of them appearing in the book,A Fully Perfected Grace,by Florence Theriault,and believed to be a portrait of 18th century Princess Lamballe. The dolls appear to be from a series of dolls representing French royalty or aristocracy. It is possible,but not certain,that this model is a portrait of Princess Mathilde Bonaparte who was a prominent member of Paris society during the 1860s. Value Points: the extreme rarity of the doll,as well as its superb refinement,unusual construction details,and elegant presence indicate its importance; its fine state of preservation enhances these features.