Statuette-Poupee by Radiguet & Cordonnier

Live Auction

17" (43 cm). Superb pale bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulder plate with highly defined modeled bosom and defined shoulder hollows and blades, large gray glass enamel inset eyes with darker gray outer rims, dark upper eyeliner, painted lashes, arched feathered brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with pale accented lips, pierced ears, very pale blonde mohair wig over cork pate. The body is unique to this doll, having low-cut kid torso that allows full expression of modeled bosom, very firm one- piece kid torso with cinched waist and scalloped- edge thighs, kid upper arms, bisque arms from above the elbow with modeled bent right arm, expressively posed fingers, bisque lower legs from above the knees with feet shaped as though wearing heels, modeled bisque heels. The doll is posed on her original velvet covered wooden stand with two metal rods that protrude into holes in the bottom of the bisque feet. The doll wears an exquisite ivory satin wedding gown with wax orange blossoms, veil, with coronet of flowers, undergarments, satin slippers on tops of feet, pearl necklace with cross. Marked _A R.C. Depose_ on back shoulder plate. Radiguet & Cordonnier, circa 1880. The lady doll, described as _statuette-poupee_ was deposed by Georges Cordonnier on January 16, 1880 and may be considered the final French depose concerning fashion lady dolls of the French golden age. The depose did not specify the facial characteristics of the doll, and consequently, several different facial models have appeared on the rare doll (including a gentleman for which the patent noted that a flat front chest would be necessary!). The depose or patent included specifications for the velvet covered stand, that is also included with this doll. Few examples of the doll are known to exist.