Extremely Rare Italian Felt Character

Live Auction

12" (30 cm.) Brown felt head with very elongated forehead,pressed and painted facial features,narrow side-glancing eyes with unusual grey/black irises,thick brown eyeliner,accented nostrils of broad nose,closed mouth modeled as though open with fierce expression,row of painted teeth,tongue,stitched-on very over-sized ears,round stubby and plump brown felt body,over-sized feet with stitched-on magenta felt slippers. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Lenci,the model appeared in the firm's 1924 catalog identified as "Fukuruko",model 190,one of a series of Asian models by the firm. The figure,actually a representation of the Fukurokuju,the Japanese god of wealth,happiness and longevity,was traditionally presented with the unusually elongated forehead,and wearing the garments of a Chinese scholar,holding a cane. Value Points: extremely rare Lenci model has superbly retained its vibrant crisp colors,with carrot-red mohair hair and flowing beard,wearing a bright orange robe with yellow embroidery and yellow felt lining,over purple/magenta felt jacket,yellow felt undergarments,orange sleeves,felt obi,and carrying a fruit in one hand and his wooden crook in the other. The model is one of the rarest Lenci dolls.