am****-1
Highest Bidder
$160,000
Sold
sold
- Estimate
- $70,000 / $100,000
Gold Horse ListingDescription
24" (61 cm.) Bisque shoulderhead with oval face and strong elongated throat, oval opening at back shoulderplate for lighting purposes, delicate complexion, blue glass enamel inset eyes, dark eyeliner, mauve blushed eyeshadow, painted lashes, feathered brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth, with beautifully shaped lips having slight slit opening for lighting purposes, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig in original coiffure, kid gusset-jointed poupee body, wearing lavish gold silk gown trimmed with embroidered lace and with floral hair ornaments and rhinestone hair comb. The shoulderplate and throat are decorated with a gold painted chain which connect the 48 painted gold circlets in which 48 clear crystal orbs (without photographic images) are arranged in a lavish jeweled necklace arrangement. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Rochard (script inside head). Comments: Edmund Rochard, circa 1868, whose background as a jewelry maker, likely inspired this singular work. Value Points: very rare doll whose facial beauty is enhanced by extraordinary embedded jeweled necklace. Few examples of Rochard dolls exist, and only one other example with detailed necklace as this is presently known.
Stuart's Take
In my book, Never Ending Stories, I dedicated a chapter to the work of Rochard calling it the most fantastical creation ever made. When considering the intricacy and original purpose, few could ever come up with anything more elaborate and complex. This particular example is, for me, one of the most beautiful found in that the jewels are intact (rare to find) and arrayed in the most splendid manner. There is a reason she graces the cover of the Rosalie catalog, and for years was a stalwart favorite in the Whyel Museum.