Extraordinarily Rare French Bisque Character, 210, by Emile Jumeau

Live Auction

24" (61 cm). Bisque socket head with highly characterized features, oval face with very high crown, brown glass paperweight inset eyes, very thick black eyeliner, long painted lashes, brushstroked and multi-feathered brows with decorative glaze, pointy nose with accented nostrils, closed mouth modeled as though open with a squinted bottom lip and round hole at the modeled space between the lips designed for pipe stem, separately applied pierced ears, brunette mohair wig over cork pate, French composition and wooden fully jointed body, wearing wonderfully detailed clown costume with matching velvet cap trimmed with cloverleafs, leather heeled clogs, carrying pipe. Condition: an old hairline from right eye corner across the ear to crown rim at back, otherwise excellent. Marks: 210 (incised at back) 08 (painted on front of neck). Comments: Emile Jumeau, circa 1892, from his art character 200 series; the model number is mysterious as it is a variation from other models marked 210. Value Points: outstanding Jumeau character model, of great rarity, in wonderful large size, with superb characterization enhanced by finest bisque and painting, characterized clown details include forehead lines, wide brown eye shadow, red and brown blush and clown decorations, original body with original finish. No other example is known to exist of this superlative doll; its 08 script number at the front and its unusually large size indicate probably creation for exhibition purposes.