24" (61 cm.) Bisque socket head with very full cheeks and chin, very pale complexion, blue glass enamel inset eyes in half moon shape, spiral threading with darker blue iris rims, dark eyeliner, mauve eyeshadow, delicately painted lashes, lightly-feathered brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth modeled as though open with two rows of painted teeth, outlined lips with upturned smiling corners, pierced ears, blonde lambswool wig over original pink plaster pate, French composition and wooden body with eight-loose-ball joints, straight wrists, flat-cut derriere, lovely antique lace-trimmed dress, undergarments, bonnet, woven socks, and black shoes with brown silk rosettes signed C.M. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Bte SGDG 4 (head) Sch (in shield on derriere) Gesland Bte SGDG (shop paper label). Comments: Schmitt et Fils, circa 1880, early portrait model by the luxury firm. Value Points: extremely rare model, of which few others are known to exist, has compelling expression highlighted by smiling expression and teeth, original body and body finish. The doll is featured in the book, The Rose Unfolds, by Rosalie Whyel and Susan Hedrick, pages. 149/151.
Stuart's Take
This is the doll that defined for me Rosalie's museum. I know, I know, so many favorites! But this face I can still remember seeing the first time I visited and countless years after. It's mesmerizing and so completely against the grain of what you imagine an idealized Bebe of the period to represent. Clearly, Schmitt never put this into any sort of production as only a few exist. I was recently at the home of a Dutch collector who had, like me, seen this doll at Rosalie's museum (see how far her reach was?) some years ago and was determined to one day find one. She spent decades notifying any connections she had that this was the doll she seeks as inspired by Whyel. Eventually, after nearly 30 years, she found one in Paris. That's how rare it is. And that face. Those teeth. The entire portrait is like no other French doll of the period. For me it's the signature doll of Rosalie's. For personal reasons of course in it being I can still recall the first time I saw it and its effect on me.
Gold Horse Listing