Early German Wax-over-Paper Mache Taufling Baby

Live Auction

9" (23 cm). Solid-domed wax-over-paper mache head with delicately painted baby hair above the ears, black glass enamel inset eyes, lightly tinted brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth, blushed cheeks, on so-called Motschmann body with paper mache and wooden shoulderplate, lower torso, lower arms and legs, hands and feet, with twill- covered midriff bellows, muslin upper arms and legs. CONDITION: Generally excellent, "mama" bellows works. COMMENTS: The taufling baby, whose loosely jointed limbs, were meant to suggest the motions of infant baby, was influenced by the centuries-old Japanese doll. This example was made in Germany about 1865. VALUE POINTS: Rare and well-preserved doll, most appealing in this petite size.