Very Fine American Porcelain Portrait of Anne of Cleves by Martha Thompson

Live Auction

14" (36 cm.) Sculpted porcelain shoulderhead of Anne of Cleves, the fourth wife of Henry VIII, with dramatically-formed coiffe ornamented with gilt cover that is encrusted with faux seed pearls, rubies and emeralds, and with complementary bodice decoration centered by a red ruby cross, angular face with downcast painted eyes, single-stroke brows, closed mouth with upturned lip corners, cloth body, porcelain lower arms and legs, painted black shoes. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: M. Thompson Anne Cleves '59. Comments: created in 1959 by charter NIADA artist Martha Thompson from painting of Anne by Hans Holbein the Younger; the doll was costumed by couturier Martha Yeske is exceptional brown velvet with rich metallic and bead embroidery. The collection of Martha Thompson dolls in this auction have been in the collection of one owner for nearly 60 years, acquired directly from Connecticut couturier, Martha Yeske, who formed a relationship with Martha Thompson in the mid-1950s, and was commissioned to create costumes for the Thompson dolls. Several vintage articles about their relationship are included with the doll.