#117

Very Rare Early and Large Grodnertal Wooden Doll
Live Auction

$13,500
sold
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Description
31" (79 cm). Carved wooden doll has one piece head and torso with shapely bosom, waist and stomach, flat-shaped back torso, elongated throat, oval-shaped face with full cheeks, tiny nose and aquiline nose. The doll has carved hair in elaborate style with ringlet curls carved away from face in front of sculpted ears, and carved into coiled braid at back of head, painted complexion and facial features with heavily lidded eyes, black upper eyeliner, single stroke brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with center accent line, blushed chin tip and cheeks, dowel-jointed shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, defined sculpting of fingers, separated thumbs. The doll wears original hand-sewn homespun undergarments and patterned muslin gown with cording and lace collar and cuffs (sleeve fabric is frail). MARKS: RF N17 (pencil script on back lower torso). CONDITION: Face, hair, torso and lower arms are excellent with well-preserved original carving and paint. The left shoulder dowel needs restoration, and the lower legs are restored or replaced with fixed knees and out-of- period painted shoes. COMMENTS: Grodnertal, circa 1840. VALUE POINTS: Virtually impossible to find exceptionally sized wooden doll with compelling expression, artfully carved hair with incised detailing, originally preserved complexion, superb period costume includes straw bonnet.