17" (43 cm.) Bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulderplate portraying a distinctively featured woman with ebony black complexion, large black enamel inset eyes, wide nose with upturned tip, painted black lashes and brush-stroked brows, open mouth, row of inset teeth, pierced ears, darkened kid poupee body with gusset-jointing, stitched and separated fingers, richly costumed in native fashion with wonderful textures and patterns. Condition: generally excellent, head, shoulderplate and body original. Comments: Leon Casimir Bru, the model was featured in The Bru Book by Franois Theimer (pp 170-175) indicated as an aristocratic Wolof woman of Senegal, Africa and an "utterly exceptional" doll, circa 1875, Value Points: the extraordinary sculpting of this magnificent doll is unique, the rich complexion tone enhanced by a lustrous patina, having superb original woven coiffe that perfectly frames the face. Few examples of this doll are known to exist.