Passed
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Description
15" (38 cm.) Solid domed bisque swivel head with flat-cut neck socket on bisque shoulder plate,sculpted facial model on both sides of heads depicting alternate moods of happiness and despair,each with painted facial features; one face with sculpted frown lines,squinting eyes and closed mouth modeled as though open and crying,painted details include tiny beaded teeth and "frowning" brows; the other face with a beaming smile,sculpted laughter crinkles around the eyes,impressed dimples,painted graceful brows and tiny beaded teeth. The head pivots easily side to side and the wig pivots horizontally from an axis at the level of the ear to reveal either face one at a time,with the wig hiding the alternate face. The poupee has deposed model of Bru kid lady body with square cut collarette,gusset jointing,shapely torso,and wooden arms with dowel articulation at shoulders,elbows and wrists,separately sculpted fingers,wearing fine antique gown,undergarments,leather boots,and double strand of early pearls. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Leon Casimir Bru,the earliest version of his 1867 depose which he named "poupee surprise"; the patent illustration is shown in The Bru Book by Theimer/Theriault,and was made for one or two years only. Value Points: very rare model with superb quality of bisque and painting,original Bru body with wooden articulated arms,lovely costume.