Superb Early Continental Wooden Doll,Probably Augsburg,18th Century

Live Auction

27" (69 cm.) One-piece carved wooden head and shapely torso,ivory-painted complexion over gesso undercoat,deeply-defined sculpting of eye sockets with heavy upper eyelids,painted brown eyes,single-stroke brows,aquiline nose,closed mouth with well-defined lips,blushed cheeks and chin tip,original blonde flaxen wig in elaborate original coiffure,dowel-jointing at shoulders,elbows,hips and knees,pin-jointed wrists,separately-carved fingers,original glued-on black leather slippers with buckles,wearing early black velvet and silk costume and undergarments with handmade lace. Condition: generally excellent. Wooden hands may be retouched,facial complexion original with possible early touch-up on nose. Comments: Continental,probably Augsburg,18th century. Value Points: rare early doll with exquisite detail or original coiffure,wonderful sculpting details including double chin,beautiful eyes,original well-preserved fully-articulated body. A nearly identical doll is shown in Children's Toys of Yesteryears,Studio Magazine,May,1932,page 20. The doll was acquired by June Ellen Lane from the auction of the Winter Haven Museum of Dolls and Toys in March 1985,and also has an award ribbon from the 6th annual exhibition of UFDC in Boston,1955.