American Hand-Carved Wooden Lady and Gentleman Doll Heads with Provenance

Live Auction

6" (15 cm.) Each is a one-piece hand-carved wooden shoulder head depicting an adult lady and man with youthful appearances,each with egg-shaped head,elongated throat,and individually-defined sculpting of features such as the woman_s larger rounded nose,and the man_s slender upturned nose. Each has painted facial features,the woman with larger blue eyes,closed mouth. The woman has exceptional sculpting of hair with deeply defined comb-marks,center-part with two ringlet curls at each side of face (carved away from the head),and brushed across the back of her head to form a tightly coiled chignon at center back. The man has short tousled hair that is combed forward from a center spot at the back,and waved behind sculpted ears. The woman has defined cleavage. Condition: generally excellent,light nose paint rubs. Comments: American,early 19th century,acquired by Margaret Hartshorn in the 1960s,ex-collection Estelle Winthrop,their legendary provenance being made by the hand of a Maine fisherman; the story of the dolls was told by Mrs. Hartshorn in a 1995 issue of Antique Doll World (included with the dolls). Value Points: exceptional original condition of the carved heads,superb hair sculpting and individual characterization of the rare couple,still united after nearly two centuries.