German Bisque Lady with Victorian Holiday Provenance
7 Watching
Live Auction
pu***28
Highest Bidder
$4,000
Sold
sold
Click image to enlarge
Estimate
$500 / $700
Description
13" (33 cm.) Bisque shoulderhead of slender-faced lady with sculpted blonde hair with unusual floral ornament at center crown, painted blue eyes, red and black upper eyeliner, single stroke brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth, modeled ears with sculpted gilt earrings, muslin stitch-jointed body, bisque lower arms. Condition: right shoulderplate piece reglue, otherwise excellent including body, and costume. Comments: Germany, Alt, Beck and Gottschalk, circa 1869, according to original attached letters the doll was displayed as a Christmas doll in 1869 on the London family holiday tree and remained as a treasured object with the family for the next century. Value Points: rare hair ornament and earrings, especially well constructed body, wonderfully preserved costume with intriguing holiday purpose and family provenance, with letters, box and additional hooded cape.
Stuart's Take
Little things often tug at my heart, not just for being precious in their presentation but having a provenance that reflects genuine care and love. The little letter that accompanies this doll/ornament and detailing the joy it brought the same family for nearly a century as a Christmas tradition hanging upon their tree is the extra layer of story that resonates with me. The idea that someone took the time to write its meaning to the family shows the level of love and tradition they had for it before. To another point, looking at the estimate, collectors today can feel fortunate that so many relics of history and emotional stories do very much remain within grasp. This piece certainly highlights the idea that this auction, and Rosalie's vision, was always about 'something for everyone."
