Rare Variation of French Bisque Smiling Poupee by Leon Casimir Bru

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20" (51 cm.) Bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulderplate with highly defined modeled bosom, dark blue glass paperweight inset eyes, thick black eyeliner, feathered lashes, brushstroked brows with feathered details, rose blushed eye shadow, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with accent line between the lips and slightly upturned smiling lip corners, impressed philtrum and dimples at lip corners and chin, pierced ears, brunette human hair wig in arranged up-swept curls over cork pate, original Bru kid bebe body of the Chevrot era with modified shaped waist to suggest lady body, hinged hips and carved wooden lower legs, bisque arms from elbows with superbly sculpted fingers and hands. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Depose L (forehead) L (head) Bru Jne No. 9 (shoulders) Bebe Bru...(paper label on torso). Comments: Bru, circa 1890, having original smiling poupee model face which is modified in painted characteristics, and original Bru bebe body with lady modifications. The unique doll seems to have been a custom order from the firm at that time; one other identical example with known provenance to commemorate the 1895 wedding of Consuelo Vanderbilt to the Duke of Marlborough is known to exist. Value Points: very rare and all-original doll with compelling presence and finest bisque and painting.