Pair, Early 1800s Paper Mache Men in Original Symbolic Costumes

4 Watching

Live Auction

18" (46 cm.) and 19". Each has paper mache shoulderhead, slender face and elongated throat, sculpted short brown hair with wispy tendrils at forehead, painted facial features, inset brown painted eyes, single stroke brows, modeled ears, closed mouth, padded cloth body on armature form, paper mache hands and lower legs with painted grey stockings and red lacing. Condition: very good, original finish is well preserved, fingers broken on larger doll. Comments: Early 1800s, likely Italian as indicated by the serpent eating man symbol on medallion which is the symbol of the Visconti family of Milan for many centuries. Value Points: posed on original paper covered wooden stand, wearing wonderful matching original costumes, likely indicating position in court society, comprising crisp sateen pantaloons, matching fitted jacket with lace ruffles, brown pressed hats with front upturned brim, one holding an original carton medallion with hand-painted symbolic scene of dragon.