French Paper Mache Taufling Baby with Clapping Mechanism

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12" (30 cm.) Solid dome 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 mechanism is squeezed, the doll turns head and claps hands. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism functions awkwardly. 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 an Exposition reporter as "very sturdy dolls, they move their arms and legs and make a plaintive whimper when you press their bellies". Value Points: rare model with fine original finish.