Lady Doll by Alexandre Dehors with Signature

Live Auction

18" (46 cm). The lady doll has perfectly oval- shaped pressed bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulder plate with delicately modeled bosom, deposed Dehors neck attachment allowing the head to tilt forward and lean coquettishly from side to side (rather than simply swivel), slightly elongated throat, high domed forehead, high cheekbones, almond shaped cobalt blue glass enamel inset eyes, dark eyeliner encircles the eye sockets, modeled eyelids, lightly feathered brows and lashes, aquiline nose, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with upturned lip corners and accented lips, shaped chin with centered dimple, defined philtrum, well defined unpierced ears. The modeling is exceptional with details of hand-pressing at temples and above the cheek bones. The doll has a kid fashion body with slightly padded bosom, tiny waist, accentuated derriere, gusset jointed hips and knees, kid upper arms, bisque arms from above the elbows with separately sculpted fingers, defined knuckles and nails, separate thumb. The wig is original mohair hand-stitched into rolls at back of head and held by snood, with arranged curls at forehead and neck. The costume is original, of taupe and bronze striped silk, trimmed with blue silk ribbons and lace, with demi-train, undergarments, leather shoes. The doll is marked _Dehors Brevete_ on back shoulderplate. Alexandre Dehors, circa 1866. The deposed Dehors head articulation allowed the doll _to nod its head, tilt it from side to side, or raise or lower it modestly or triumphantly_, according to a reviewer of dolls portrayed at the 1867 Exposition Universelle in Paris. Signed examples of the very rare doll are extremely rare. Those with portrait faces are virtually unknown to exist; the facial resemblance to the beloved Empress Eugenie is remarkable, indicating that the model may have been created specifically for that Exposition, which was the crowning showpiece of the Napoleon III epoch. The doll is preserved in impeccable, unplayed-with original condition, including body, wig and costume.