Important Early English Wooden Doll with Regal Presence and Superb Gown

23 Watching

Live Auction

26" (66 cm.) Carved one-piece wooden head and torso, distinctive pear-like shaping of face with centered celestial-shaped nose and full cheeks, inset dark enamel eyes, tiny all-around dot lashes, single stroke brows with dot edging, defined closed mouth, tiny chin, philtrum and ears, elongated slender throat, shapely defined bosom and waist, brunette hand-tied human hair wig, cloth upper arms, wooden lower arms with fork-shaped rounded-tip fingers, wooden legs with jointing at hips and knees, shapely calves. Condition: generally excellent both structurally and with original painted complexion and details. Comments: English, early/mid 1700s, the regal size, the distinctive portraiture, and perfect state of preservation indicate the origin of the doll by special commission for aristocratic family, which remains unknown at this time; her only clue is an old hand-lettered invoice tucked in the early wooden box in which she was preserved, detailing lady's costume accessories. Value Points: outstanding presence and fine state of preservation, the doll is complemented further by her extraordinary gown with applique and lace details that is original to the doll, along with fine early woven hat, petticoats, stockings, velvet slippers, unusual necklace, along with early embroidered coin pocket, face mask for evening balls, and early metal-framed lorgnette, and preserved in original early box.