Grodnertal Tiny Wooden Dolls Presented as "Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe" 1100/1300

Live Auction

8" (20 cm.) shoe length. Arranged within a red kidskin shoe with gilt embroidery at the tip are eight tiny wooden dolls with sculpted hair and painted facial features, dowel-jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Grodnertal, circa 1849, the dolls are arranged as though in the aged story of the "old lady who lived in a shoe and had so many children she didn't know what to do". Value Points: fascinating variations of facial painting, some with painted tuck combs, antique costumes.