Extremely Rare French Bisque Bebe Musique by Leon Casimir Bru

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17" (43 cm.) Pressed bisque socket head with thick neck socket designed to perfectly accommodate the wooden torso neck opening, plumply modeled cheeks and chin, almond-shaped blue glass enamel inset eyes with spiral threading, painted lashes, brushstroked and multi-feathered brows, accented eye corners, shaded nostrils, closed mouth with modeled space between the lips, and delicately painted teeth, shaded and outlined lips, blushed chin and earlobes, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, wooden articulated body with slender torso, rounded derriere, dowel jointing at shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles, separately carved fingers, carved toes, two costumes are included along with Bru leather shoes signed "B" in script. The interior of the torso contains a musical mechanism which is wound through a keyhole at the back torso. Condition: professional restoration at left forehead, mechanism functions well, body is excellent with original finish. Marks: Bte SGDG (top of forehead) (circle dot symbol back of head). Comments: Leon Casimir Bru, circa 1882, the early version of the model "Bebe Musique" was only mentioned in 1882 and 1883 in a simple three-word description in his firm's advertisements. Value Points: extremely rare doll of which only two examples are known, the rarity, the intricacy of the mechanism and the exceptional quality of the music box suggests that its production may have been by special commission only.