Petite Porcelain Doll with Yellow Bonnet by Martha Thompson

Live Auction

10" (25 cm.) Hand-pressed porcelain shoulder head with childlike shape and expression,blue painted downcast eyes,feathered brows,accented nostrils,closed mouth with shy smile,brown individually-sculpted hair in curls onto (but away from) her shoulders,sculpted ears,sculpted yellow straw bonnet with roses and leaves,muslin body,porcelain lower arms and legs,painted pink boots with black tips and buttons,wearing silk costume created by the artist. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: MDTÕ56. Comments: Martha Thompson,1956,from her series of 19th century ladies and children,inspired by 19th century French and English fashion engravings; the laborious process of creating the series is described in The American Doll Artist,Volume I,by Helen Bullard. Value Points: very few of this model were ever made,each one-by-one,resulting in extreme rarity coupled with superb artistry and detail.