French Paper Mache Taufling Baby with Clapping Bellows Mechanism Attributed to Greffier

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21" (53 cm.) Solid domed paper mache head with light wax coating, painted curly tendrils above each ear, blue glass inset eyes, painted brows, accented nostrils, slightly parted lips, two rows of tiny teeth, hollow twill-covered torso which contains a bellows mechanism, wire upper arms, composition lower arms and legs, antique costume. When bellows mechanism is squeezed, the doll cries "mama" and claps hands. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: French, attributed to Francois Greffier who won an award for his dolls at the 1855 Paris L'Exposition Universelle; the dolls were described by a Exposition reporter as "very sturdy dolls, they move their arms and legs and make a plaintive whimper when you press their bellies". Greffier was likely inspired by the similar style Japanese child dolls presented at the mid-century Expositions. Value Points: rare model with fine original finish, bellows mechanism functions well.