Onsite
Highest Bidder
$30,000
Sold
sold
Click image to enlarge
- Estimate
- $40,000 / $50,000
Gold Horse ListingDescription
20" (51 cm.) Amber-tinted bisque swivel head on matching kid-edged bisque shoulderplate with modeled bosom and shoulderblades, brown glass paperweight inset eyes, thick dark eyeliner, painted lashes, brushstroked brows, rose tinted eye shadow, dark brushstroked and feathered brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with defined tongue tip between the shaded and outlined lips, dimpled chin and philtrum, pierced ears, black human hair wig in upswept coiffure accented by brass hair pins, kid bebe torso, kid over wooden upper arms hinged at shoulders, amber tinted bisque lower arms and hands, Chevrot hinged hips, jointed wooden lower legs. Condition: generally excellent, one finger reglued, body is especially sturdy and fresh, one sole missing on shoes. Marks: Bru Jne 7 (head) No. 7 (shoulderplate) (original Bebe Bru paper label on body). Comments: Leon Casimir Bru, Chevrot epoch, circa 1885. Value Points: among the rarest bebe model of the Bru firm, with finest bisque and painting, original wig, body, antique silk embroidered kimono and signed Bru shoes.
Stuart's Take
The fascination with Asian culture in France during the second half of the 19th century had hit a peak. As such, many doll firms experimented with developing models which paid respect to the lavish costumes and styles they were encountering at world exhibitions and daily on the streets of Paris. Some were made under luxury commission while others may have been developed for exhibitions. They were rarely though put into significant production leading them to today being some of the rarest Bebes in existence.