25" (64 cm.) All-wooden doll with finely carved wooden features, hair and body features short black curly hair with deeply defined curls, hair comb with gold decoration, and finely painted stippling around the face, sculpted ears, painted facial features, brown eyes, beautifully shaped nose, closed mouth, sculpted detail of gown neckline at lower bodice, all-wooden body with adult lady shape having rare swivel-waist, dowel-jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, painted cream lower arms and legs, orange shoes, wearing fine 1830-era costume of vintage fabrics. Condition: pristine condition of superbly painted and sculpted hair and face indicates probable restoration some time ago, although none is indicated through black light analysis; the body structure is excellent throughout with some typical paint craquelure on arms and legs. Comments: Grodnertal, Empire Period, circa 1810. Value Points: exceptionally beautiful doll with regal presence, rare detail of sculpted hair, large size, and rare midriff swivel. The doll is from the collection of the late Madeline Merrill, noted doll research and author of The Art of Doll 1700-1940.