Superb Early Wooden Lady with Carved Hair and Documented Costume

Live Auction

22" (56 cm.) One-piece carved wooden head and shapely torso with defined bosom and tiny waist,depicting an adult lady with oval-shaped face and elongated throat,sculpted brown hair with deeply-defined combmarks,in center-parted style waved away from her face into a rolled chignon at the back of her head,inset enamel dark eyes with heavy eyelids,painted brows,aquiline nose,closed mouth,pierced ears,dowel-jointing at shoulders,elbows,hips and knees,sculpted bare feet,original blue paint on torso and upper limbs. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: mid/late-18th century,a highly-refined variation of the classic Santos figure,probably southern France. Value Points: exceptionally beautiful lady doll with rare enamel eyes for this model,fully-sculpted lady body,her superb antique costume was designed and created by the London-based renowned London stage designer David Walker,at the request of her previous owner,John Darcy Noble,While in the care of Mr. Noble,the doll was named Madame,and she resided in a special niche overlooking his dining table.