$175,000
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Description
22" (56 cm.) Bisque socket head designed with a unique four-
part mold has an elongated slender face with defined temples
and very full cheeks,almond-shaped blue glass inset
eyes,painted curly lashes,incised eyeliner that separates the
upper lashes,brush-stroked and feathered brows,accented
nostrils and eye corners,rounded nose tip of curved nose,closed
mouth with full lips,defined chin,prominent pierced ears,blonde
mohair wig,uniquely-designed composition body with elongated
torso,undefined waist,elongated composition upper arms and
side-hip-jointed legs with shapely calves,small ankles,large
feet,bisque lower arms with attached bisque ball-joint at the
elbows,separately modeled fingers,lovely antique costume.
Condition: generally excellent,very faint old curved vertical line
on the throat appears original,flawless complexion,perfect
original body and bisque hands. Marks: A. Marque (incised
signature) #6 (red ink script). Comments: French,circa 1912.
During the early 20th century during the epoch known as The
Renaissance of the French Doll,the noted French sculptor Albert
Marque (1872-1939) was commissioned to sculpt a doll. The
doll was to depict a young girl poised on the threshold of
womanhood. Her features were highly characterized,bold yet
hesitant,elegant yet awkward,romantic yet realistic. The four part
mold,unique in the doll industry,and with the added emphasis
of hand-pressed details,allowed for this full expression. For the
body design,Albert Marque enlisted the aid of a fellow
artist,Aristodeme Botta; the completely unique body was
produced in small cottage workshops. For the production of the
head and bisque arms,Societe Francaise des Bebes et Jouets was
chosen. It is believed less than 50 models of the doll were
created,each numbered in red ink script,and it is probable
that,at the time,a registration of these dolls was maintained in
the Parisian boutique of Margaine Lacroix of Boulevard
Haussman who costumed and presented the dolls to wealthy
Parisians and foreign travelers. It is the only doll that Albert
Marque ever created. He continued his work in bronze and terra
cotta sculpture until his death in 1939,although living in great
poverty. Value Points: extremely rare doll,this being #6 of the
series of 50 dolls,its rarity is rivaled by its extraordinary artistry
and quality of workmanship. Ex-collection Beverly Myers of
Solon,Ohio until its acquisition by Geri Baker in 1993.