Passed
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Description
23" (58 cm.) Felt swivel head with mask face, deeply-pressed facial features with strong nose and chin, stern expression, outlined blue side-glancing eyes with grey eye shadow, thick brows, closed mouth, accented bottom lip, bright red hair weft-sewn to head, elongated slender felt body, jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. Wearing long felt jacket with ammunition pockets over blue felt tunic with grey edging and blue felt covered buttons, wide leg black pants, white leather boots, brown felt sash with carved wooden scabbard, and black traditional fleeced cap. Condition: doll is excellent, costume is strong and vibrant with few small moth holes, hands may be later replacements. Comments: Lenci, the head construction indicates production pre-1923; the historically elite cavalry guard Russian Cossacks figured prominently in the political upheaval in Russia 1917-1922 and likely inspired Elena di Scavini's model. It is not known if the doll was designed as a specific portrait doll. Value Points: very rare early model in fine state of preservation with unique characteristics such as red hair, kidskin boots, wooden scabbard.