- Estimate
- $3,500 / $4,500
7" (18 cm.) each seated. Three all-bisque figures of adult ladies, modeled one-piece with adult lady body styling, are posed in three alternate manners, each seated, one with tea cup and saucer in extended arms as though about to sip, one holding an open-face magazine as though reading about an event, and the third with fan in her hand. Each has elegant slender face and body, oval-shaped face and elongated throat, painted facial features, original brunette mohair wig in opulent coiffure, painted stockings and heeled shoes with bows, and is wearing original costume of the 1920 era. The ladies are presented seated on wooden chairs with matching marble top table, and are preserved under glass dome on ebony base. Excellent condition. Germany, Galluba & Hoffman, circa 1915, in an early catalog the firm described the trio as "fashion dolls, with the use of Empire furniture...arranged for 5 o'clock tea". The extremely rare set is presented in impeccably preserved condition.
ADDED DETAIL: Just discovered, this exact piece was used in a 1983 Nina Ricci fashion advertisement. In the ad, a real-life model was inserted into the image. This was obtained by a London collector from the original owner who loaned it to Nina Ricci.