Outstanding Large Early Grodnertal Doll with Exuberant Painting of Hair

Live Auction

28" (71 cm.) All-carved wood doll with dramatically-shaped head which features a heart-shaped face and very full rounded back of head, elongated throat, distinctive nose, fully-carved pixie-like ears, heavy modeled eyelids, blue downcast eyes, red eyeliner with delicately painted upper lashes, tinted brows, closed mouth, painted hair with exuberant tendrils of curls around the forehead, sculpted collar with painted ruffled details, slender torso with defined waist, dowel-jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, flat feet with painted brown slippers, original kid-over-wooden upper arms, hips and upper legs. Condition: generally excellent, original finish throughout, some minor typical rubs on face. Comments: Grodnertal, circa 1820, the doll is shown in Doll Collectors Manual, 1964, in an article by Ruth and E.C. Mathes, indicating that at the time the doll was in the collection of Lucille Grimes of Encinitas, California. Value Points: outstanding example of luxury quality wooden doll from the Grodnertal, its rarity features include grand size, unusual kid-over-wood body parts, exuberant painting of hair, unusual shape of face, sculpted collar, and wearing early fine early costume.