Rare Chinese Wooden Fully-Articulated Doll with Provenance

6 Watching

Live Auction

14" (36 cm.) All carved wood, solid domed socket head with painted black pate having comb-marked detail, defined facial features, tiny painted brown eyes in deep sockets, closed mouth in gentle smile, sculpted ears, jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, and with unusual torso opening allowing access to internal stringing. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: China, early 1900s, the doll is sometimes credited to the work of the Door of Hope Mission. Value Points: rare model wearing original costume and with additional white linen costume and cap, along with copy of a letter from the doll to Dear Missy telling her that his name is Lien Hwo meaning Lotus Flower, and relating a story about himself. The doll is featured in the book, The Rose Unfolds, by Rosalie Whyel and Susan Hedrick, pp. 240/241.