#321

Three Early English Wax Dolls as Highwaymen in Original Costumes
3 Watching
Live Auction

Onsite
$700
sold
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Estimate
$1,200 / $1,500
Description
13" (33 cm.) Each has poured wax face attached to carton back of head, each face has different features and expression, one with very pronounced nose, pointy chin and wart, another with strong nose and double chin, and the third with evil expression, each with glass eyes and remains of fiber wigs, cloth torsos, wax or leather hands, wooden lower legs with painted black shoes, and each is wearing original costume of gentleman including tri-corn hat. Condition: fair, rubs and wear to wax, wigs worn, costumes are original albeit very worn especially at the back of torso. Comments: English, late 1700s, the dolls represent Highwaymen of the era, notorious "gentlemen" of the road who plundered and attacked wealthy travelers, possibly the three brothers Harry, Tom and Dick Dunsdon of Oxfordshire, known as "the Burford Highwaymen". Value Points: intriguing early dolls with both intriguing history and faces. $1200/1500