#118

Extremely Rare German Bisque Three-Faced Doll Representing Three Ethnicities
Live Auction

$6,250
sold
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Description

14" (36 cm.) A bisque socket head enclosed at the sides and the back with a cardboard hood has three different faces that are alternately revealed when the brass knob at the top is turned: an ebony black face with crying expression, brown glass eyes, closed mouth with modeled tongue, sculpted tears; a light brown face with slightly smiling expression, brown glass eyes, and closed mouth; and a white face with modeled shut eyes and closed mouth. The hood is attached to a composition shoulderplate, muslin covered carton torso with pull-string "mama" crier, muslin upper legs, composition lower arms and legs. Condition: generally excellent, slight paint rub on chin of brown face. Marks: C.B. (in circle on shoulderplate) 450 dep (on top of heads). Comments: Carl Bergner, with original bisque faces by Bahr and Proschild, circa 1892. Value Points: extremely rare variation of the multi-face doll with beautiful expressions and complexions, original body.